The Macabre Art of Baking ‘People Pies’
The culinary world is no stranger to the bizarre, but when it comes to “people pies,” things take a delectably dark turn. This grotesque yet oddly captivating concept has its roots in the Victorian horror tale of Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street. Todd, wielding his razor with precision, supplied his partner in crime, Mrs. Lovett, with the main ingredient for her infamous meat pies—his unsuspecting customers. While this was merely the stuff of penny dreadful serials, two modern artists have taken the idea of human meat pies and added their unique (and entirely safe for humans) twist.
Latex, Foam, and a Dash of Nightmare Fuel
Special effects artist Ashley Newman is no stranger to the uncanny. Known for her gory, hyper-realistic creations, she turned her talents to the macabre bakery with her latex people pies. These are not for eating, but they could certainly make you lose your appetite. Newman starts with a foam base, which she painstakingly covers with latex, dyed to mimic the hues of human flesh. Her pies are disturbingly detailed: sunken eyes framed by bruised, darkened lids, and a browning effect on cheekbones that suggests time spent in the oven. The pièce de résistance? Details like sanguine ooze dripping from nostrils, crooked teeth protruding through the “crust,” and tufts of hair that lend a chilling realism to her creations.
What makes Newman’s pies even more horrifyingly delightful is their customisability. Buyers can mix and match features, selecting from an array of ruby-red tongues, opalescent teeth, and patches of hair. It’s as though Mrs. Lovett herself had started offering “bespoke baking” services. Newman’s creations blur the line between revulsion and laughter, as she notes, “It’s grotesque, yes, but also completely ridiculous. You see it and think, ‘Why would someone do this?’ That makes you laugh and starts you thinking.”
Why the Obsession with Edible Horror?
Newman and Fuller both draw on the absurdity and the shock factor of their creations to provoke thought and laughter. For Newman, the artistry of creating something grotesque but laughable is key. Her body-part jewellery line similarly taps into this intersection of horror and humour. “Why would someone do this?” is the exact reaction she hopes to elicit, prompting a mix of unease and mirth.
Fuller’s inspiration dives even deeper into the macabre, citing his fascination with Ed Gein, the infamous “Butcher of Plainfield.” Gein’s crimes, which included crafting lampshades and clothing from human skin, have inspired countless horror films, from Psycho to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Fuller channels this dark creativity into his edible art, acknowledging the grim inspiration while emphasising that it’s all in good (if unsettling) fun. “Listen, don’t kill people. I don’t condone it,” Fuller quips, “but he was creative, and that left quite the impression. Dark though it may be, I would’ve made a beautiful lampshade.”
The Allure of the Absurd
What is it about “people pies” that captures our imagination, despite their morbid overtones? Perhaps it’s the sheer absurdity, the playfulness with which Newman and Fuller approach their craft. Their creations, while unsettling, tap into a timeless human fascination with the macabre, blending horror, humour, and artistry into something truly unique. From gory latex props to fruit-filled pastry horrors, their work ensures that Sweeney Todd’s legacy lives on—one grotesque pie at a time.
So, if you ever find yourself eyeing a pie that stares back, don’t worry. It’s probably the work of one of these oddities-loving artists. Probably.
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