Black Artists in Horror: DAIJU EDWARDS

ARF: So please tell us about yourself. Where you are from, what inspires your work, do you believe in true love?
I’m from Buffalo, NY. Currently my work is super influenced by the idea finding divinity within yourself and working with it as opposed to running from it or allowing it to control you. I love dark absurd humor — that’s something I’d really like to bring into my work more. Shows like Wonder Showzen or Gregg Araki’s Teenage Apocalypse Trilogy films had a huge impact on me when I was younger for this reason. As for true love...I believe in it, but I don’t think it lasts forever.
 
ARF: Where did your love for horror stem from?
My granddad, it’s totally his fault I’m a fucking freak! No, when I was really little we used to watch horror movies together all the time. They freaked me out at first, but then I got super into it. I just remember always watching those Halloween marathons on USA with him. In third grade I told my class my favorite movie was 28 Days Later. …still up there.  

"...anything you’re afraid or ashamed to admit to enjoying is probably the thing you enjoy the most."

ARF: Where do the lines of sensuality and horror intersect for you?
I think it’s the taboo nature of the two subjects. As we know, anything you’re afraid or ashamed to admit to enjoying is probably the thing you enjoy the most. Jenny Holzer touches on this in one of her Truisms, “Murder has its Sexual Side.” 
 
ARF: Your style borders along experimental and art house — tell us a bit more about your particular style?
That’s something I’m definitely still figuring out. My style is has a dreamlike, surreal quality to it since it’s often rooted in my nightmares. Visually I'm drawn to disjointed, abstracted body parts that build up to the full figure. 
 
ARF: What projects do you have in the works? 
I’m currently working on a couple editorials and am writing my first feature screenplay!

ARF: Tell us about your short film Seabeast. How did the story come about?
In Seabeast we watch as an amphibious alien life form sheds their skin in order to appear human to stay hidden on this planet. Last year I started getting more into body horror and really wanted to find a way to communicate feeling imprisoned by your body, that was my basic concept. I was playing around with a few ideas for that and around that time my friend Gigi, the Seabeast, and Kaya T, who did the sound were talking about a concept band with aquatic aliens. 
 
7. Name your dream cast.
Michael Shannon 
Willem Dafoe
Woody Harrelson
Aubrey Plaza
Kathy Bates
Angela Basset