Mark Ryden: The Gay '90s

Description

Crowned 'the high prince of Lowbrow', Mark Ryden has become a fixture of the contemporary alternative art movement. In this book, the artist casts his skewed perspective toward the turn of the 19th century with such creepy yet beautiful works as a portrait of Abraham Lincoln dressed in foppish 1890s fashion and surrounded with a heavenly nimbus, Jesus Christ playing a pink piano for an audience of kewpie triplet girls, and a Gibson girl in a tight corset constructed entirely of meat.

Blending pop cultural themes with art techniques reminiscent of the Old Masters, Mark Ryden has created a singular style that blurs the traditional boundaries between high and low art. His paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide, and his work is part of the permanent collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Amanda Erlanson is a writer, art collector, and editor of the art blog "Erratic Phenomena."

"...the artist's provocative sketches, sculptures and paintings toy with our preconceptions of societal and historical norms by mixing incongruous styles, objects and figures while bringing those uncomfortable paradoxes to the forefront of our consciousness. Suited for those both familiar with Ryden's work and those who are just getting acquainted, this book directs us to the crux of what makes Ryden's work so delectable, its ability to bring together disparate things and create something that showcases both the beauty and the darkness of those encounters." ~coolhunting.com ..an excellent opportunity to investigate what all the Mark Ryden hype is about ... for both dedicated fans and newcomers to the weird world of Ryden." ~Typo-Graphical.com