Daily Art Fixx

Mark Ryden‘s new exhibition “The Gay ’90s: Olde Tyme Art Show” opened on April 29, 2010 at the Paul Kasmin Gallery in New York.  “The central theme of The Gay 90s: Old Tyme Art Show references the idealism of the 1890s while addressing the role of kitsch and nostalgia in our current culture. “In the modern era, sentimentality and beauty have been disdained in the art world,” he explains. “This new work is explores the line between attraction and repulsion to kitsch, and between beauty and banality.”

Once again, meat is featured in Ryden’s new works.  In a recent interview with New York Times Style Magazine, Ryden explains the meat factor -  “There seems to be a complete disconnect between meat as food and the living, breathing creature it comes from. I suppose it is this contradiction that brings me to return to meat in my art. It surprises many people to learn that I am actually not a vegetarian. I don’t think it is morally wrong to eat meat. What I do personally is to try to remain aware of what I am eating and where it came from. I am not trying to preach a moral stance on anything in my art, but I find that juxtaposition of imagery can create a kind of distance and then an ensuing heightening of awareness.”

The Gay ’90s show runs through June 5.  To see more images from Ryden’s new show, visit Paul Kasmin Gallery.  For other works, visit MarkRyden.com.

The Explorers © Jenna Colby

“Jenna Colby is a self taught artist who has always been creative through different mediums, but decided to focus on painting three years ago. Originally from Ohio, Jenna has traveled and lived in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, but has called Seattle home since 1999. Growing up in a small town Colby was always fascinated with cities and has been influenced by her travels and the people she has met and observed. “I make it a point to take note and assign a story to the passer by, giving each moment in time purpose and creating color.” After developing and beginning to show her work, Jenna came into contact with the work of artists like Mark Ryden and Yoshimoto Nara. Thinking back, she says, “Their work really moved me. It made me nervous, giddy . . . I’m not sure if there is a word for it. But after experiencing that feeling, I decided that is what I want to do to others. I want to make other people feel that way.”  (bio from artist Etsy site).

To learn more about Jenna Colby, visit SoopajDelux.com, or her Etsy store.

A couple of years ago, while roaming the narrow streets of Amsterdam, I wandered into a small art gallery that just happened to be showing the work of Mark Ryden.  Since that time, he has been one of my favourites.

Born in 1963 in Medford, Oregon, Ryden grew up in southern California.  Ryden studied illustration at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He is considered to be one of a few artists who helped to lead a return to traditional painting techniques and a key figure in the movement called Lowbrow Art.

Early influences for Ryden include Dali, Magritte, Bosch, Rosenquist and pop artists.  Later on, he developed a passion for more classic art including David, Ingres, Carpaccio, Balthus, and Bougerau.

Some parallel Ryden’s work to the art in vintage children’s books mixed with the whimsy of Lewis Carroll.  Ryden himself says that he often finds archetypes in old books which later end up in his work, and that he is “attracted to things that evoke memories from childhood.”

One need only look at a Ryden painting to see that his technically astounding and disturbing  images are many things at once – everyday objects and people, placed in unusual and surreal circumstances. Children, blood, raw meat, crosses, cuddly animals, toys, and other cultural symbols all come together to form a world where his characters “speak from a place of childlike honesty about the state of mankind and our relationships with ourselves, each other and our past.”

Ryden has designed album covers for the likes of Michael Jackson (Dangerous), and the Red Hot Chili Peppers (One Hot Minute), to name a few.  He has also published numerous books as well as having his art featured in video games and feature films.

Ryden’s work has been exhibited worldwide and his paintings are in public and private collections.  He currently lives and works in Los Angeles with his partner, artist Marion Peck. To see more of Mark Ryden’s beautifully disturbing work, visit his website at MarkRyden.com.

Sources: Mark Ryden.com, Wikipedia, Beinart, My Artspace