The artwork titled “Abominable” is a creation by the artist Mark Ryden, dated to the year 2008. It is executed in oil on canvas and is classified under the Lowbrow Art movement, which often encompasses a pop culture-infused artistic genre. The piece is a part of the “Snow Yak” series and falls within the figurative genre, hinting at a representation of the human form or other recognizable figures.
The artwork presents a distinctly serene yet unsettling scene, characterized by a muted color palette dominated by pale blues, whites, and grays corresponding to a snowy landscape. In the foreground, a large, anthropomorphic creature with a gentle yet expressionless face, resembling an abominable snowman or yeti, stands upright. This creature is covered in thick, soft fur, which indicates its adaptation to the cold environment in which it is situated. Interestingly, the snowman-like being possesses human-like hands and stands with a notable stillness that conveys a sentient calmness.
Lying on the snow-covered ground next to the creature is a small, seemingly nude humanoid figure with highly stylized features, most notably her disproportionately large eyes and flowing white hair. Her pose and the contrast of her bare skin against the snow adds a sense of vulnerability to her character, and her gaze seems to be directed thoughtfully towards the viewer, creating a narrative tension and a visual dialogue between her presence and the encompassing wintery scene.
In the background, a pattern of bubbles or circular designs floats in the sky, while wrapped trees adorn the wintry landscape, reiterating the theme of cold desolation and the magic-realist touch typical of Ryden’s work. The entire composition is enveloped in a dreamlike or surreal quality, which is a hallmark of the figurative style within the Lowbrow Art movement. The artwork, in its entirety, conveys an enigmatic narrative that beckons the viewer to delve into its possible meanings and the relationship between its two central figures.