This is a study of the fifth age of planet Earth and the inhabitants that rule it. Not much is known of the demise of the fourth age (the rule of the intelligent apes) but some speculate it was due to ‘a stupid greedy fight over shiny rocks’. Plant life is rare to find in the fifth age and a large percentage of the air is nitrogen dioxide. Species in the fifth age have evolved to survive off of polyesters and halocarbon compounds, and other animals. This is an early period of their cultural evolution, having developed speech in only the last thousand solar years. With this increase of intelligence, the inhabitants have split into different groupings (or clans). Some do what is considered smart and beneficial for others, some do what is considered evil, and some do what is considered an annoyance to others for their own amusement. This study focuses primarily on the five most evolved groups – the Sappients, the Bervexes, the Perditors, the Gigantorians, and the Formidables.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
NML (nomattsland) is an emerging Hong Kong visual artist. Having worked in the realm of puppetry, film and theatre in Los Angeles after obtaining a BFA at the California Institute of the Arts, NML returned to his native homeland of Hong Kong to obtain a master's degree in multimedia technology at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Mostly working with acrylic paints, NML also dabbles in digital art, clay sculptures and mixed media. His work is influenced by his upbringing of comic books and sci-fi and fantasy novels as well as Japanese anime. NML's art focuses within the themes of third culture kids, the search for happiness, the peacefulness in solitude, the wonder and imagination of our youthful minds, and his bizarre sense of humor.
Recently NML created a short graphic novel as a prequel to the indie horror flick 'GROWTH', the concert poster for Handsome Furs Live in Hong Kong, promotional images for an upcoming comedy horror film 'ZOMB'ASIANS: THONGS OF THE DEAD', and partaking in the February 2011 exhibition at VOXFIRE GALLERY with a 9ft tall painting. In 2008-2010 NML was storyboard artist, film director, location scouter, casting director, executive producer and actor for the indie video game 'MARK LEUNG: REVENGE OF THE BITCH'. NML also won an award from PERSPECTIVE magazine celebrating the top 40 artists under the age of 40 of 2010 in Asia. NML also recently completed an exhibition with Hong Kong based musician REBEARTH, titled 'Among the Lambs Clothed in White' that ran from April 29th to May 28th 2011 at VoxFire Gallery, featuring paintings, sculptures, poetry and music, exploring the theme of happiness.
