Actor, director and scriptwriter, Boyd Holbrook, features in the current issue of Wonderland Magazine as part of our “LA Story” feature (curated by photographer Paul Jasmin) where he shares his film making experiences with us. On top of his involvement in the acting world, Holbrook has also worked under photographer David Armstrong and is also a keen artist. Sharing his work Iscariot (exhibited at Rare Gallery in 2008) with us, he explains it’s resonance. “Regardless of my own believes I understand the effect of religion on society, so i though I would flip everything on its head,” he begins. “It’s my interpretation of the book of Judas that was found in the dead sea in 1972 and translated 20 years later which basically completely challenged every other book of the disciples of how Judas Iscariot was a traitor. In Judas’s words, Jesus asked him to do it in order to carry out the “plan of god”. From the the harsh visual of the Crucifixion to a relaxing JC in a bath tub, to Judas made of flowers and the height of 9 yr old, reflecting his innocence’s, and symbolism of the 30 pieces of silver that he was paid to 30 bees attached to his hand. As people need money, bees need flowers to survive.”

Using 50 year old driftwood salvaged from a shipping port in Stanten Island, the piece took three months to create and was a process that Holbrook found to be relaxing in comparison to making a film. “In sculpture you don’t need to communicate with people, even till you show. And if it’s good you don’t need to explain,” he says before listing some of the added bonuses to working solo. “You can work drunk, black eyed, alone not relying on anyone, unlike film that requires your body that has to be sharp as a tact.”

Having gone on to exhibit further work at P.P.O.W in 2009, sculpture and art are sidelines Holbrook wants to pursue in future. “I will come back to it,” he promises. “But I’m concentrating on writing and acting right now.” Too much talent, not enough time.

Words: Seamus Duff