Cryptid Mountain
A journey of self-discovery told using the undiscovered creatures of our world. Follow the Jersey Devil up the mountain and through many New Jersey landmarks.
What is Cryptid Mountain?
Cryptid Mountain is a mixed media sculpture and diorama that includes miniature NJ landmarks. It is mostly made of spray foam, cardboard, paint, paper, and plastic figurines. It is done in Dungeons and Dragons scale because I wanted to be able to make terrain for my oldest child. There are small plastic figures of the Jersey Devil, Bigfoot, and the Jersey City Muffler-man that are also characters in a YouTube show.
The goal was to use humor and cryptozoology to poke fun at and analyze the absurdity of the real world. At it’s core it is my version of Dante’s Inferno where the Jersey Devil is Dante and Bigfoot plays his Virgil. Just like Dante was obsessed with Florence, I’m obsessed with New Jersey. Just like Virgil, Bigfoot tries to lea
Statement
As an artist who was born and raised in NJ and I started reading Weird NJ in my teens. Starting my love affair with the deep lore and quirky nature of my community. Though most of these stories should be taken with a grain of salt they do give insight into the creative psyche of our fellow New Jerseyans. Think Dante's Inferno meets WeirdNJ, and like Dante I am obsessed with my own home. Follow the Devil from Leeds point, to Luna Parc, to the QuikStop, Hot Dog Johnny's, Camp Crystal Lake, and eventually to the JC Muffler Man
Visit Cryptid Mountain.
Currently Cryptid Mountain is on view at the ArtLab Gallery in Mendham, New Jersey. It is part of the Midsommer Exhibit up from June 22-August 31, 2024
It will eventually become a roving exhibit with locations and dates displayed here in the near future.
You can also visit Cryptid Mountain virtually by watching the web series.