A Master Illustrator of Our Darkest Fears: Marshall Arisman’s Nightmare Exhibition
A ‘medium’ grandmother taught him to spot the midpoint between good and evil. In a New York gallery, a selection of Marshall Arisman’s timeless works depict our macabre reality.

Marshall Arisman
Is it dark enough for you? Maybe want a bit darker?
A new exhibition in New York by illustrator Marshall Arisman shows a selection of timeless drawings and paintings that depict a macabre representation of today’s political climate. Influenced by his grandmother—a psychic medium and minister at an upstate New York spiritual community called Lily Dale—Arisman is said to have picked up the ability to read auras and and was strongly encouraged from childhood “to stand in the place between the angels and the demons.” That advice has clearly guided his work.
His obsession with the morbid and darkness is a unique juxtaposition to his spiritual upbringing in Lily Dale. He is best known professionally for his depictions of Adolf Hitler, and as well as fictional villains like Darth Vader and Hannibal Lecter. The School of Visual Arts gallery in Chelsea is exhibiting a retrospective of Arisman’s work throughout his 45-year career, including his recent spiritual body of work alongside his most significant and petrifying editorial illustrations, paintings, and sculptures that express both sides of good and evil.
An Artist’s Journey From Dark to Light runs until Sept. 16.
ADVERTISEMENT
For more information: click here.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
For more information of the artist: click here.

Buffalo Run
Marshall Arisman

Angel
Marshall Arisman

Orange Angel
Marshall Arisman

Cat On Hill
Marshall Arisman

Sacred Hand
Marshall Arisman

The Gameboard
Marshall Arisman

Turtle
Marshall Arisman

The Migration
Marshall Arisman

Fast Draw
Marshall Arisman

The Lock Up
Marshall Arisman

The Shooting Gallery
Marshall Arisman

The Firing Sqaud
Marshall Arisman

Green Angel oil on wood, gold leaf
Marshall Arisman

Green Angels oil on wood, gold leaf
Marshall Arisman

The Empire Strikes Back
Marshall Arisman

The Curse Of Violent Crime
Marshall Arisman

How safe is safe?
Marshall Arisman

The Silence Of The Lambs
Marshall Arisman
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
