Mark Ryden

MARK RYDEN (Medford, Oregon, 1963).
Surrealist Dish, 2015.
Custom glazed porcelain features 53 icons created by Mark Ryden.
Stamped on the base of the plate.
With original box.
Measurements: 30.5 x 30.5 x 2 cm (plate); 32.5 x 32.5 x 4.5 cm (box).

Mark Ryden's style is unmistakable and is classified within the movement known as Pop Surrealism or Lowbrow Art. His work is known for being visually opulent, technically virtuosic and deeply disturbing, blending elements of pop culture and children's imagery with dark, philosophical themes.

Mark Ryden received a BFA in 1987 from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Ryden's work has become more prominent in the public domain thanks to so-called lowbrow art publications, such as Juxtapoz, in which his work appears regularly. In fact, Ryden has collaborated with other lowbrow artists such as Gary Baseman and Tim Biskup, as well as composers Stan Ridgway (Wall of Voodoo) and Pietra Wexstun, (the soundtrack to the CD "Blood - Miniature Paintings of Sorrow and Fear"). In November 2001, Ryden presented his first exhibition in New York at the Earl McGrath Gallery, which later moved to the Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana, California. His paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, including a career-spanning retrospective "Chamber of Wonders" at the Centro de Arte Contemporaneo de Malaga, as well as an earlier retrospective "Wondertoonel" at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle and Pasadena California Museum of Art. Ryden was commissioned to create the costume set and costumes for a production of Whipped Cream, presented by American Ballet Theatre with choreography by Alexei Ratmansky. Whipped Cream is based on Schlagobers, a two-act ballet with libretto and score by Richard Strauss that was first presented at the Vienna State Opera in 1924. Works created by Ryden for the ballet were exhibited in the Gallery Met located in the Metropolitan Opera House. Ryden has designed album covers for musicians such as Michael Jackson, Ringo Starr, Jack Off Jill, Scarling and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, plus Mark Ryden painted one of his guitars. Hammett appears with the guitar on the cover of the April 2009 issue of Guitar World.