Christopher Easton is an American artist, designer, writer, and director best known for his creation of mosaics, acrylics, and pastels. His latest works include conceptual self-portraits in drag reminiscent of the works of Cindy Sherman. Easton lives and works in Los Angeles. In addition to creating fine art, he teaches workshops in mosaic and pastel technique. In 2006, he wrote and directed the performance art piece “The Staggering Libido Sisters Sing Songs of Love… and Revenge” which is rescheduled for production in 2009.
Early years
Easton was born on January 19, 1959 in Lakehurst, New Jersey, USA. Shortly after his birth his family moved to Dayton, Ohio. Although Easton became interested in the visual arts as early as elementary school, his interest in theatre arts led him to Wright State University and Arizona State University where he studied acting and stage design. Upon graduating he relocated to Los Angeles, California, where he worked in the television and movie industries and in interior design. Easton continued his education by attending classes and workshops in art and art history at Santa Monica College, Cal State Northridge, Otis-Parsons, and Art Center in Pasadena, where he focused on his drafting skills and use of color. In 1994, he wrote the screenplay for the movie Dressed to Thrill, which was developed by Fineline Features. Overwhelmed by the “rampant egos” and what he coined the “plastic flash-and-cash” of Hollywood culture, Easton left that business in order to focus fully on visual and conceptual art. But the entertainment industry and celebrity culture became the major subject matter of his ensuing works.
Artistic career
Easton’s earliest works included his popular mosaics which utilize classical techniques and materials yet address contemporary art tastes. His ongoing work in pastel and acrylic is “all about play… enjoying the sensuality of my materials in relation to the subject matter.” In 2007 he began creating contemporary pop art pieces in self-portraits as an alter ego by the name of Aida Libido, “named by Time Magazine the most beloved and influential pop culture personality… ever.” While Easton insists that Aida Libido is not an alter ego but in fact simply “is,” bemused critics point to an uncanny similarity of physical features and the fact that Libido’s situational comedy relates closely to the celebrity culture Easton came to detest at the end of his Hollywood years. Either way, Aida Libido has taken on a life and career of her own, ‘starring’ in “The Staggering Libido Sisters Sing Songs of Love… and Revenge,” and appearing frequently as Easton’s subject and muse in his latest gallery exhibitions, greeting card lines, and assorted kitsch.
