Halloween Special: Somer Stampley

In the week leading up to October 31st, we will be sharing the bone-chilling work of one of our favourite freaky artists, alongside a hair-raisingly festive little interview!
Stay-tuned!

Thousands of years ago the testicles of Uranus were cut off and thrown into the ocean. Up sprang Venus, goddess of love, beauty, and the original femme fatale. Somer Stampley’s intricate cut-out art is a deadly homage to Venus, her godlike feminine figures lighting up black skies with flame-engulfed scowls. The artist’s mastery over a pair of scissors makes for a horrifically unique style. In the book of scariest things known to man, the powerful seductress is near the top of the list (put that apple down, Eve!) Stampley’s world is a celebration of the dreaded Bitch, a vixen decal slapped on the bumper of a truck speeding towards hell, a murderous nymphomaniac she-devil behind the wheel. – Claire Milbrath

What was your most memorable halloween experience/costume?
My Star Trek: Next Generation uniform was and still is my favourite and most comfortable costume.  I have worn it for 4 halloweens so far!

What is your favourite horror movie and why?
Without a doubt, Possession.  Everything about that movie from its psychotic breakdowns to demonic figures.  Also, I love The Blair Witch Project.

What possesses you to create?
Usually I just do it because it feels right and its cathartic.

Is your work intended to induce fear?
Not fear but something otherworldly.

What are you most afraid of?
I’m definitely afraid of getting murdered.

Do you believe in ghosts?
I believe there are things that we can not explain through known science and people may have called whatever that is “ghosts”. The mind is a very powerful and convincing thing. I honestly don’t believe in many ghost stories.  I believe people get mixed up between a dream world and the real world.

Do you believe in magic?
No but I love Harry Potter.

Have you ever had any sort of supernatural or paranormal encounter?
No but I would love to! I’m such a skeptic when it comes to the supernatural/paranormal so to experience something like that would be very confusing. I would love to be confused.

Given the choice, would you become immortal?
Yes. As long as I could be immortal at a good age and I didn’t have to drink blood. If some of my favorite people could be immortal, that would be a plus.

If you were a monster what kind of monster would you be?
A siren.  The idea of having an angelic appearance with a sinister purpose sounds fun!