Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Mark Ryden

Mark Ryden (born January 20, 1963) is an American painter based in , widely recognized as the godfather of Pop , a genre he pioneered in the 1990s by fusing classical techniques with contemporary , pop culture , and themes of , innocence, and the subconscious. His meticulously rendered oil paintings often feature archetypal motifs such as wide-eyed children, anthropomorphic animals, religious symbols, and kitsch elements like or meat, creating a dreamlike narrative that explores the interplay between the physical and spiritual realms. Ryden earned a from the Art Center College of Design in , in 1987, after which he worked as a successful commercial illustrator for a decade, designing album covers for artists including and . His transition to began with his first solo , The Meat Show, in 1998 at the Mendenhall Gallery in , marking the emergence of his signature style and earning critical acclaim for revitalizing illustrative painting within the world. This shift propelled him to international prominence, with his works entering prestigious collections such as the County Museum of Art. Throughout his career, Ryden has mounted major retrospectives, including Wondertoonel (2004–2005) at the Frye Art Museum in and the Pasadena Museum of California Art, which set attendance records, and Cámara de las maravillas (2016) at the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo in , . Notable series like The Tree (2007) and collaborations, such as the set design for the American Ballet Theatre's Whipped Cream (2017), highlight his influence across and . In 2025, he presented Eye Am at Perrotin Gallery in , featuring new paintings that continue his exploration of and fantasy.

Biography

Early life and education

Mark Ryden was born on January 20, 1963, in , and grew up in after his family relocated there during his early years. He was raised in a creative household as one of five children; his father, Keith, worked as an auto body painter, restoring and customizing cars, while his mother, Barbara, managed the home and supported artistic endeavors among her children. Ryden's older brother, known as , was an underground artist whose work introduced him to alternative forms of expression, further nurturing his interest in from a young age. From childhood, Ryden showed a strong inclination toward visual creation, preferring to drawing and experimenting with poster paints to replicate and remix images from magazines and books. During high school in , a visit to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena ignited his passion for professional art training, leading him to decide on a career in . Ryden enrolled at the Art Center College of Design in 1983, where he immersed himself in illustration studies, completing his degree in 1987 after an intensive three-year program that included both traditional techniques and emerging computer skills. Through school projects, he gained early exposure to commercial art practices and elements of , drawing inspiration from films like and classical painters such as Ingres and Bouguereau, which shaped his foundational approach to blending the whimsical with the uncanny.

Early career (1980s–1997)

After graduating from the Art Center College of Design in 1987, Mark Ryden established himself as a freelance commercial illustrator in , working primarily in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His clients included major companies, where he contributed to and promotional materials that showcased his emerging illustrative style blending whimsy with precise draftsmanship. Ryden gained notable recognition in the music industry through his album cover designs, creating iconic imagery for prominent artists during this period. Key examples include the surreal, dreamlike artwork for Aerosmith's single "" in 1989, Michael Jackson's Dangerous in 1991, and the ' in 1995, among others for bands like the and . These commissions highlighted his ability to fuse pop culture references with intricate, narrative-driven compositions, sustaining his livelihood amid the competitive scene. By the mid-1990s, Ryden began transitioning from commercial assignments to , experimenting with personal paintings that incorporated surreal elements and aesthetics drawn from childhood nostalgia and cultural icons. This shift was marked by his participation in group exhibitions in galleries, starting with "Side Show" at the Tamara Bane Gallery in 1994, where his early works debuted alongside other emerging pop surrealists. He continued showing in venues like the Merry Karnowsky Gallery's "Calivera Kustom" in 1997, allowing him to refine a distinctive style that prioritized thematic depth over client-driven briefs.

Rise to prominence (1998–present)

Ryden's transition from commercial illustration to fine art reached a pivotal moment in 1998 with his debut solo exhibition, "The Meat Show," held at Mendenhall Gallery in Pasadena, California. This show featured vivid paintings blending grotesque imagery with meticulous technique, drawing immediate acclaim and marking his entry into the contemporary art scene. Prior to this breakthrough, Ryden had established a reputation through commercial work for music albums and magazines. The success of "The Meat Show" positioned him as a foundational figure in pop surrealism, a movement fusing lowbrow aesthetics with high-art execution, earning him the title "godfather of pop surrealism" from Interview Magazine. In the early , Ryden expanded his practice beyond into multimedia formats, notably with the publication of his first major book, , in 2001. This volume compiled s, drawings, and inspirations, offering insight into his thematic obsessions with flesh, fantasy, and the , and solidified his influence within the burgeoning pop community. During this period, Ryden began collaborating with his future wife, artist Marion Peck, on joint projects including exhibitions and limited-edition prints that explored shared motifs of whimsy and the , beginning with their first show together in 2005. Ryden's gallery affiliations evolved to reflect his rising stature, starting with early representations at Mendenhall Gallery and Michael Kohn Gallery in , where he mounted significant solo presentations through the 2000s. By the 2010s, he secured international reach through partnerships with Perrotin Gallery and Kasmin Gallery, enabling global exhibitions and broader accessibility for his work. Around 2017, Ryden relocated from to , where he continues to live and work. In recent years, Ryden has shifted toward thematic series emphasizing as symbols of and awakening, evident in works like the 2022 "Animal Secrets" exhibition at Kasmin Gallery, which depicted harmonious natural realms infused with nostalgic . This evolution culminated in 2025 with the solo exhibition "Eye Am" at Perrotin , featuring twelve paintings and drawings of sentient creatures—such as a , , and —exploring the partition between body and higher self through motifs like the third eye and divine figures. In this phase, Ryden has emphasized unrestrained personal expression, creating art unbound by external expectations.

Artistic style and themes

Influences and techniques

Mark Ryden draws significant inspiration from historical artists such as and , whose surreal and fantastical imagery informs his own dreamlike compositions, as well as from 19th-century academic painters like Ingres and , whose precise figuration and classical techniques shape his meticulous approach to form and narrative. Pop culture icons, including and characters, further influence his work, blending Americana archetypes with whimsical, childlike elements to create layered allegories that evoke both and unease. Ryden employs techniques in his paintings, primarily using oil on panel to achieve a smooth, luminous quality through meticulous glazing layers that build depth and translucency, reminiscent of and methods. His symbolic compositions often integrate elements from Americana, such as vintage plush toys and domestic icons, alongside references to medical illustrations, which he collects as models to infuse his scenes with a clinical yet eerie precision. Over time, Ryden's style has evolved from an illustrative foundation rooted in and children's book to a more fully realized , prioritizing narrative depth and mystical undertones over pure abstraction while maintaining a pop-infused . In his studio practice, he begins with extensive thematic research, amassing books, photographs, and objects for , followed by preparatory sketches that refine ideas over months or years before transferring them to .

Recurring motifs and symbolism

Mark Ryden's artwork is characterized by central motifs including hairless or fantastical animals such as yaks, bunnies, and hybrid creatures, often depicted in anthropomorphic forms that evoke both tenderness and unease. These animals, inspired by mid-20th-century toys like Rushton figures, appear in works like the Anima Animals series, where they serve as spirit guides blending innocence with an eerie, otherworldly presence. Similarly, raw meat recurs as a visceral symbol of consumption and transformation, representing the cycle from living being to inanimate substance, as seen in paintings from The Meat Show (1998), where cuts of flesh are juxtaposed with childlike elements to highlight humanity's disconnection from the origins of sustenance. Childlike figures, frequently wide-eyed girls or boys in surreal, dreamlike environments, populate eerie settings that mix whimsy with subtle horror, such as in Whipped Cream set designs where young protagonists navigate confectionery worlds laced with underlying violence. These motifs underpin a broader contrasting and , on , , and to probe existential themes. Alchemical imagery, including cryptic symbols and transformative processes reminiscent of ancient manuscripts, infuses Ryden's compositions with notions of spiritual evolution and inner mystery, as evident in s for Yakalina 9 (2022) that echo historical alchemical illustrations. Religious , such as sugary wafers or priestly figures, symbolizes rites of passage and the sacred-profane divide, often tied to as a Eucharistic reference to consuming the divine body. manifests through overindulgent sweets and commercial relics, critiquing modern excess while offering escapist fantasy, as in the candy-filled dreamscapes of that mask anxieties of maturation. emerges as a recurring presidential , embodying , self-made , and whimsy—depicted as a diminutive figure alongside icons like in (2002), he represents cultural heroism intertwined with the absurd. Bunnies and bees further enrich this lexicon: bunnies connote comforting nostalgia with a haunting edge, while bees symbolize structured loyalty and anatomical wonder, both rendered in signature pinks linking flesh to the mystical. Ryden's themes have evolved from the bodily surrealism of the 1990s, centered on meat and corporeal consumption in exhibitions like The Meat Show, to a more spiritual and animal in the 2010s and 2020s, as explored in Anima Animals (2020) and Yakalina 9. This progression shifts focus from visceral human-animal divides to transcendent hybrids, interpreting like the Snow Yak or pink yaks as commentaries on blurred boundaries between , evoking fears of progression from youth to adulthood while inviting contemplation of the soul's hidden depths. In these later works, hybrid forms underscore a mystical unity, transforming early horror into awe-inspired wonder, as continued in the Eye Am exhibition (2025) at Perrotin , where motifs including the , fetuses, and sentient entities like Tibetan snow lions and explore , dreams, and the sacred partition between body and spirit.

Major exhibitions and projects

Foundational shows (1998–2005)

Mark Ryden's foundational exhibitions from 1998 to 2005 solidified his emergence as a leading voice in Pop , transitioning from commercial illustration to critically acclaimed through themed solo shows that blended innocence, grotesquerie, and cultural symbolism. These presentations, often accompanied by catalog books, showcased his technical precision in oil paintings and introduced recurring motifs of consumption, nature, and emotional vulnerability, drawing immediate attention from collectors and the alternative art scene. Coverage in publications like magazine highlighted his innovative fusion of classical techniques with subversive imagery, positioning him as a provocateur within the lowbrow movement. The Meat Show, Ryden's debut solo exhibition in October 1998 at the Mendenhall Gallery in , explored themes of flesh and consumption through surreal compositions of raw meat landscapes integrated with childlike figures and religious icons. Paintings such as The Angel of Meat, The Ecstasy of Cecelia, The Debutante, and A Dog Named Jesus depicted slabs of and anatomical forms in ethereal, almost devotional settings, evoking both allure and revulsion. The show, which consisted of 13 works, marked Ryden's first use of sequential numbering for his paintings and sold out entirely, attracting early collectors drawn to its provocative commentary on and the body. featured an interview with Ryden in its Winter 1998 issue, praising the exhibition's brink-of-breakthrough energy and its ties to underground art culture. This debut generated buzz in art circles, establishing Ryden's reputation for meticulously rendered, unsettling narratives. Building on this momentum, Ryden's 2001 exhibition Bunnies & Bees at the Earl McGrath Gallery in delved into motifs of innocence corrupted by subtle menace, featuring bunnies, bees, and young girls in ornate, dreamlike scenes that hinted at hidden dangers beneath pastoral facades. Key works included The Ringmaster, Puella Animo Aureo, Jessica's Hope, and Sophia's Mercurial Waters, rendered in pastel tones with hyper-detailed elements like alchemical symbols and Victorian toys. described the canvases as "painstakingly painted, pastel-colored... of less-than-innocent children in surroundings so compulsively packed with nutty detail," noting their balance of whimsy and unease. The show, accompanied by a catalog with an essay by Ryden on connections between bunnies, bees, and historical figures like , further expanded his collector base and reinforced his thematic exploration of nature's dualities. In 2003, the Blood exhibition at the Earl McGrath Gallery in Los Angeles shifted to intimate, miniature-scale paintings that meditated on sorrow, fear, and emotional wounds, using blood as a central symbol of vulnerability and transformation. Ten small works, such as The Baptism of Jajo, The Cloven Bunny, Drips, Fountain, and Lincoln's Head, portrayed introspective scenes of withdrawal and pain, often incorporating hybrid figures and dripping crimson motifs against soft, luminous backgrounds. Juxtapoz (September-October 2003) and Contemporary magazine (May 2003) lauded the series for its emotional depth, with the latter calling each piece "a meditation on an internal world of wounded emotional life." The exhibition's compact format emphasized Ryden's versatility, leading to strong sales among discerning collectors and solidifying his appeal in the lowbrow scene. Wondertoonel in 2004 at the Frye Art Museum in —traveling to the Pasadena Museum of California Art in 2005—served as Ryden's first solo museum presentation, a spanning his prior decade of work formatted as a modern with surreal dioramas evoking historical wunderkammers. The installation incorporated over 30 paintings from earlier series like The Meat Show and , alongside collected oddities such as taxidermied animals, skeletons, and natural specimens, creating immersive environments that blurred art, science, and fantasy. Inspired by 18th-century displays and museums like Florence's La Specola, the show fostered a sense of wonder through dimly lit, mysterious vignettes that highlighted evolutionary and symbolic themes. It drew record attendance at the Pasadena venue and received acclaim for Ryden's role as a "postmodern icon maker" whose symbol-rich canvases unlocked "the secret life of the ." Pieces from the exhibition sold briskly to prominent collectors, amplifying Ryden's market presence. These early shows profoundly influenced the lowbrow art movement, elevating Pop Surrealism from underground galleries to museum recognition by merging kitsch, horror, and high artistry in ways that inspired subsequent artists. Their success prompted invitations to international exhibitions and cemented Ryden's status as a movement pioneer, with works entering private collections worldwide and sparking broader media interest in alternative contemporary art.

Mid-career developments (2006–2015)

During this period, Mark Ryden's work evolved to incorporate more immersive, thematic exhibitions that blended his signature pop with broader cultural and environmental narratives, marking a maturation in his exploration of innocence, mythology, and human desire. The 2007 "The Tree" series, exhibited as "The Tree Show" at Michael Kohn Gallery in , delved into explorations of myths and , centering on the seminal The , which depicted a towering, symbolic tree integrating human, animal, and natural elements, reflecting interconnectedness and environmental themes through intricate, dreamlike compositions that echoed biblical and evolutionary narratives. The painting was later exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art in as part of "The Artist's Museum: Los Angeles Artists 1980–2010" (2010–2011). In 2009, Ryden presented "The Snow Yak Show" at Tomio Koyama Gallery in , , featuring paintings of Himalayan-inspired yaks as symbols of purity and isolation amid snowy, ethereal landscapes populated by ghostly figures and moon children. The show emphasized subtle palettes of whites and grays to evoke a mystical, encrusted winter world, drawing on themes of serenity and otherworldliness. This exhibition expanded Ryden's international presence in and highlighted his growing global appeal. In 2010, Ryden mounted "The Gay 90s: Olde Tyme Art Show" at Paul Kasmin Gallery in New York, a Victorian-era pastiche that reimagined 19th-century aesthetics through surreal installations, paintings, and ephemera, including custom frames and nostalgic vignettes featuring figures like Abraham Lincoln and piano-playing characters. The exhibition incorporated multimedia elements such as music, transforming the gallery into an immersive "olde tyme" environment that critiqued Americana and historical kitsch. Complementing the show, Ryden released the book The Gay '90s: A Portfolio with 24 reproduced plates from the series, and a related vinyl record album titled The Gay Nineties Olde Tyme Music, featuring covers of period songs by collaborators including Weird Al Yankovic and Tyler, the Creator, with profits supporting music education for children. Ryden's project for the American Ballet Theatre's revival of (premiered 2017), which included designs for sets, costumes, and props using desserts as metaphors for decadence and desire in a candy-coated, surreal world of confections and undertones, extended his practice into and was previewed through sketches and paintings at galleries like Thinkspace Projects in , underscoring his expansion into interdisciplinary ventures. Throughout 2006–2015, Ryden's exhibitions in and , alongside book tie-ins, solidified his role as a pivotal figure in pop , fostering thematic depth and cross-cultural dialogue.

Recent works (2016–present)

In 2016, Ryden presented the retrospective Cámara de las maravillas at the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de in , , surveying his career with immersive installations that evoked wonder and , drawing significant attention. In 2017, Mark Ryden presented "The Art of " at Paul Kasmin Gallery in , featuring s, sketches, paintings, and sculptural elements that extended his recurring dessert themes into a fantastical production for the . The exhibition, on view from May 20 to July 28, showcased Ryden's designs for sets, costumes, and props inspired by Richard Strauss's original 1924 Schlagobers, reimagined with surreal confections like towering sculptures and candy-clad characters to evoke indulgence and delirium. This project also toured to venues including the House in and in , blending Ryden's pop with theatrical spectacle. Ryden's 2020 exhibition "Anima Animals" at Perrotin Gallery in introduced a series of anthropomorphic animal portraits created amid , portraying plush-like creatures that merge mid-century toy aesthetics with ethereal, godlike qualities. On view from July 3 to August 29, the show included 20 new paintings and sculptures framed in ornate, hand-carved wood, blurring boundaries between innocence, eeriness, and through figures like the Snow Yak and Super Spirit Bear. These works, rendered with old-master precision, reflected Ryden's response to global confinement by anthropomorphizing animals as comforting yet companions. Continuing his exploration of mythical , Ryden's 2022 solo "Animal Secrets" at Perrotin Gallery in comprised 10 paintings and 12 works on paper depicting enigmatic creatures in harmonious, idealized natural landscapes, offering subtle commentary on environmental interconnectedness and hidden worlds. Held from May 19 to July 30, the series featured portraits such as Fratello della Tavoletta and Tavoletta Rosa, where animals reveal wisdom amid tranquil yet symbolic settings, evoking and pop surrealist archetypes. The exhibition extended Ryden's animal motif into revelations of concealed ecological narratives, with creatures positioned as guardians of nature's mysteries. That same year, Ryden collaborated with on the "Mark Ryden x Collection," a series of limited-edition, toy-inspired s and accessories launched on November 18, blending his surreal imagery with 's iconography through items like the Pink Pop —featuring a , wide-eyed yak companion, and smiling flowerpot—and the Bee in a fuzzy, striped faux-fur gown. Accompanied by an exhibition titled "Pink Pop - Ryden x " at a Kasmin Gallery pop-up in , the collection included enamel pins, tote bags, and a one-of-a-kind Nature Queen , emphasizing whimsical, hand-crafted elements that fuse pop culture with Ryden's fantastical motifs into the 2020s. In 2025, Ryden debuted "Eye Am" at Perrotin Gallery in , an exhibition of 12 paintings and drawings centered on eye motifs to probe themes of self-perception, , and the , opened on October 30 and running through December 20. The works present eccentric, unexplained mise-en-scènes where eyes dominate surreal compositions, whispering symbolic narratives that bypass language to evoke and the soul's . This series marks Ryden's return to his roots, amplifying pop through precise, fairy-tale-infused imagery that resists straightforward interpretation. Ryden also participated in 2025 with Kasmin Gallery from March 26 to 30, presenting the new painting The Sentinel—an oil-on-panel work depicting a confronting a guarding a —as part of a booth featuring his recent contributions to pop .

Music and collaborations

Album artwork

Mark Ryden began his commercial illustration career in the late 1980s by designing album covers for major record labels, creating over 40 such works through 2013 that integrated his pop surrealist aesthetic with musical themes. These pieces often feature meticulously detailed oil paintings blending classical techniques, nostalgia, and cryptic , such as ornate frames enclosing whimsical yet eerie figures, to evoke a sense of childhood innocence juxtaposed against darker psychic undercurrents. Ryden has noted that album cover commissions allowed him to produce paintings closely aligned with his practice, prioritizing artistic expression over strict constraints. In the early phase of his music-related work during the , Ryden focused on and pop projects, producing surreal portraits and symbolic compositions that captured the era's eclectic sounds. His cover for Fetchin Bones' Monster (1989) presents a visually striking depiction of the band in a fantastical setting, emphasizing playfulness. This was followed by the elaborate artwork for Michael Jackson's (1991), a six-month endeavor filled with layered representing royalty, excess, and personal mythology, which became one of his most iconic contributions. Additional examples include designs for ' Uncle Anesthesia (1991), featuring dreamlike band imagery, and ' (1995), originally conceptualized around a "Black Fish " motif to reflect the album's psychedelic edge. Mid-2000s collaborations extended to and acts, where Ryden tailored his surreal motifs to narrative-driven concepts, resulting in covers that enhanced the albums' atmospheric tones. For Jack Off Jill's Clear Hearts Grey Flowers (2000), he painted a haunting yet alluring scene of a blonde figure amid floral decay, aligning with the band's raw emotional intensity. Similarly, Scarling.'s Sweet Heart Dealer (2004) incorporates playful grotesquerie in its central imagery of confectionary horror, complementing the group's dark pop sound. His later music visuals, such as Tyler, the Creator's Wolf (2013), continued this adaptation, using intricate, fairy-tale-like elements to mirror the artist's oddball rap style.

Original music projects

In 2014, Mark Ryden produced and presented The Gay Nineties Olde Tyme Music, a limited-edition vinyl record released to accompany his exhibition "The Gay 90's West" at Michael Kohn Gallery in Los Angeles. The album consists of covers of the 1892 vaudeville-era song "Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)" performed by a diverse array of artists, including Katy Perry, Nick Cave, Tyler, the Creator, Weird Al Yankovic, Kirk Hammett, and Mark Mothersbaugh, reflecting Ryden's interest in 1890s aesthetics and nostalgic musical forms. Pressed on 180-gram translucent red vinyl in an edition of 999 signed copies, the record's proceeds supported the nonprofit Little Kids Rock, which provides music education to underprivileged children. Ryden has also engaged in live musical performances as a drummer for the Oceanside, California-based band The Mailroom, led by indie folk musician Matthew Hall. Since around 2024, he has contributed to recordings and sessions featuring psychedelic and elements, including tracks like "Sunflower," "Take It Slow," and "Tired," alongside bandmates Mark Webber on and Christian Elwood on keyboards. These performances incorporate surreal and narrative-driven soundscapes, aligning with Ryden's artistic themes, and have been showcased in live settings such as Break Sessions.

Commercial and multimedia ventures

Ryden has extended his pop surrealist aesthetic into commercial products through collaborations with major brands, most notably the ongoing collection initiated in 2009 with . This partnership reimagines dolls and accessories by incorporating Ryden's signature motifs, such as hybrid creatures and whimsical symbolism, into limited-edition designs. Early releases included four dolls blending pop surrealism with 's iconic form, while updates in 2022 introduced items like the Pop , featuring vibrant, dreamlike attire, and the Bee, a collector's piece with translucent wings and luxurious "fur" evoking Ryden's enchanted garden themes. Complementing these ventures, Ryden produces print editions and merchandise via his official store and partners like Porterhouse Fine Art Editions, offering giclee prints, posters, and apparel that reproduce his paintings in limited runs for collectors. These items, such as lithographs of works like (edition of 500), emphasize accessibility to his intricate imagery while maintaining artistic integrity through high-quality production. Books serve as a key medium for this commercialization, with notable publications including Wondertoonel (2006), a 40-page catalog from his Frye Art Museum showcasing 30 paintings with gold-foil enhancements; The Tree Show (2009), a 180-page documenting paintings, drawings, and sculptures exploring arboreal mythology; and (2001), a 152-page volume compiling early works with essays on his surreal distortions of flesh and mind. Ryden's toy collaborations further bridge and , including vinyl figures with Artoyz such as the Baby Bos series (2022), limited-edition capturing his anthropomorphic animal motifs in 15 cm heights. elements appear in his interdisciplinary projects, where exhibitions integrate —like the bronze (2015), a one-meter-tall geometric —and video, as seen in Anima Animals (2020) at Perrotin , featuring immersive displays of hybrid creatures alongside paintings and drawings. These ventures highlight Ryden's ability to infuse commercial outputs with conceptual depth, occasionally tying into music visuals through shared motifs.

Personal life and legacy

Family and influences

Mark Ryden married artist Marion Peck in 2009 in a ceremony held in the . Their union has fostered a close creative partnership, marked by shared artistic explorations within the pop genre. Ryden has two children, Rosie and Jasper, from a previous . Ryden and Peck relocated from to , in 2016, where they maintain a joint studio practice that supports their individual and collaborative endeavors. This move allowed them to prioritize a quieter environment conducive to family life and focused creativity. They have presented joint exhibitions, such as the 2017 duo show Mysterium Coniunctionis at Dorothy Circus Gallery in , featuring rare prints from both artists. Ryden's personal interests include collecting vintage toys, stuffed animals, old books, and items with mystical or anatomical themes, which permeate his daily routine and inspire his work. He has expressed a longstanding fascination with the and secret mystical worlds, viewing them as sources of philosophical depth. Despite his prominence in the , Ryden maintains a low public profile, emphasizing private family time and avoiding extensive media exposure amid professional commitments.

Recognition and cultural impact

Mark Ryden is widely recognized as a pioneer of the pop surrealism movement, also known as lowbrow art, which he helped usher in during the by blending classical painting techniques with elements of pop culture, , and the subconscious. Often dubbed the his meticulous oil paintings featuring , religious , and whimsical narratives have elevated the genre from underground roots to mainstream acclaim, influencing a generation of artists who explore similar themes of fantasy and critique. Ryden's recognition includes prominent features in influential publications such as magazine, where he has appeared on covers and in in-depth profiles since the early 2000s, underscoring his role in bridging commercial illustration and . His works are held in prestigious public collections, notably the County Museum of Art (LACMA), affirming his institutional validation within circles. Retrospectives in the 2010s, including the 2016 "Cámara de las Maravillas" at the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga in —his first major European survey spanning two decades of production—have further solidified his legacy as a key figure in the movement. Ryden's cultural impact extends to influencing a generation of pop surrealism artists, including those like Audrey Kawasaki who explore ethereal, wide-eyed figures blending innocence, unease, and influences. His imagery has permeated media and fashion, appearing on album covers for artists like and , and in high-profile collaborations such as the 2022 "Pink Pop - Ryden x " series with , which reimagined the doll icon in his surreal style and highlighted themes of and . Exhibitions in major institutions, including the 2004 "Wondertoonel" at the Frye Art Museum in and Pasadena Museum of California Art, as well as group shows like "Michael Jackson: On the Wall" at the National Portrait Gallery in (2018), have showcased his ability to merge with deeper existential inquiries. His collector base includes high-profile figures such as French billionaire , founder of and owner of through his holding company Artémis, and actor , who acquired a Ryden drawing at the 2007 Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) FRESH auction, reflecting the artist's appeal across art world elites and entertainment industries. Ryden maintains ongoing relevance through 2025 exhibitions, such as the solo show "Eye Am" at Perrotin Gallery in , where his paintings delve into themes of identity and perception through enigmatic, eye-centric motifs, and participation in group presentations addressing contemporary ecological and spiritual concerns via anthropomorphic animals and natural symbolism. These works continue to engage modern dialogues on human-nature relationships and self-reflection, ensuring pop surrealism's vitality in addressing ecological fragility and personal identity in an increasingly digital age.

References

  1. [1]
    Mark Ryden Biography – Mark Ryden on artnet
    ### Summary of Mark Ryden Biography
  2. [2]
    Mark Ryden: Illustration Alumni Story - ArtCenter College of Design
    Mark Ryden received a bachelor's degree in Illustration in 1987 from ArtCenter. For a decade after, he was a successful commercial artist.
  3. [3]
    Mark Ryden - Kasmin Gallery
    Mark Ryden received his BFA in 1987 from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. His paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide.
  4. [4]
    Mark RYDEN - Artist - Perrotin
    Mark Ryden (b. Medford, Oregon) is a Portland-based painter whose surreal and pop-inspired works have been shown in major museums worldwide.
  5. [5]
    Artist Biography & Facts Mark Ryden - askART
    Mark Ryden was born on January 20, 1963 in Medford, Oregon, but grew up in Southern California. He received a B.F.A. in 1987 from Art Center College of Design ...Missing: early | Show results with:early
  6. [6]
    ISM Winter 2005 - Mark Ryden
    Mark Ryden was born on January 20, 1963 in Medford, Oregon, but grew up in Southern California. He received a BFA in 1987 from Art Center College of Design in ...
  7. [7]
    Mark Ryden - BL!SSS Magazine - Nathan Spoor
    Then we moved to SoCal, where I attended High School and stayed on to attend ArtCenter in Pasadena. My dad was an auto body man. He did everything, from ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  8. [8]
    Sincerely, Mark Ryden - Interview Magazine
    May 2, 2014 · I liked painting, very early on, even more than drawing. I used poster paint on posterboard. I would copy images that I liked from magazines and ...
  9. [9]
    Mark Ryden's Pinxit - Muddy Colors
    Apr 23, 2013 · He has worked for clients such as Disney, Universal Studios ... Aside from freelance illustration, Dan also enjoys teaching. He has ...Missing: 1980s | Show results with:1980s
  10. [10]
    Bliss September, 2008 - Mark Ryden
    They are my source of inspiration. I look through things and they inspire ideas. I have boxes and boxes of scraps that I sift through before I begin the work.
  11. [11]
    Album Cover Art: Mark Ryden - First Draft
    Jan 16, 2024 · Ryden executed 42 album covers from 1988-2013. Here's a sampler of his artwork in chronological order.Missing: career 1997 freelance Disney Fishbone Red Hot Chili Peppers
  12. [12]
    Mark Ryden | Buy Original Art Online - Artsper
    4.8 527 · 14-day returnsNotably, his artistic prowess graced album covers for globally renowned bands like Aerosmith ("Love in an Elevator"), Red Hot Chili Peppers ("One Hot Minute ...Missing: early 1980s- 1997 freelance Disney Fishbone<|control11|><|separator|>
  13. [13]
    Introduction — Mark Ryden
    While his standing as a commercial artist grew, Ryden's commitment to pursuing a fine art career gained solid footing as well. His first paintings appeared in ...
  14. [14]
    Mark Ryden's Art For Sale, Exhibitions & Biography | Ocula Artist
    In 1994 he was part of Sideshow, a group exhibition at the Tamara Bane Gallery, Los Angeles, alongside other artists associated with Pop Surrealism such as ...
  15. [15]
    Exhibitions — Mark Ryden
    "21st Century Tiki", La Luz De Jesus Gallery, Los Angeles, California. 1994. "Side Show", Tamara Bane Gallery, Los Angeles, California. Go to Instagram · Go to ...Missing: Sideshow | Show results with:Sideshow
  16. [16]
    Mark Ryden: The Godfather of Pop Surrealism | ArtMajeur Magazine
    May 19, 2025 · Mark Ryden is a contemporary American artist known for pioneering the Pop Surrealism movement, blending classical painting techniques with ...
  17. [17]
    Panik Magazine November, 1998 - Mark Ryden
    Stepping inside the bright and airy Mendenhall Gallery, two flights up from Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena, the visitor is greeted by a sight which transforms the ...
  18. [18]
    Interview Magazine May 2010 - Mark Ryden
    May 4, 2010 · ... godfather of Pop Surrealism because his work inhabits both arenas. His deeply devoted followers range from obscuro goths, steampunks, and ...
  19. [19]
    Anima Mundi - Mark Ryden
    Mark Ryden invites us into a slaughterhouse disguised as a madhouse, but it is also a funhouse, where the distortions of flesh and mind are there primarily for ...
  20. [20]
    The Creator Studio October, 2005 - Mark Ryden
    I worked for 17 years in a Children's hospital in Toronto and was overwhelmed by the kindness and cruelty of man and nature.
  21. [21]
    Mark Ryden - MICHAEL KOHN GALLERY
    Reality and fantasy don't collide in Mark Ryden's art so much as they are equal halves of a more natural and dreamlike world.
  22. [22]
    Mark Ryden: Animal Secrets | May 19 – July 30, 2022 - Kasmin Gallery
    May 19, 2022 · Ryden's enigmatic characters dwell in harmony with nature amidst idealized landscapes. His tranquil sceneries evoke the nostalgia of Romantic imagery.
  23. [23]
    Mark RYDEN - Contemporary Art Exhibition - Perrotin
    October 30, 2025 - December 20, 2025. + add to my calendar. los angeles. 5036 W Pico Blvd view map. artist info · press release; contact. share /.
  24. [24]
    MARK RYDEN - THE GODFATHER OF POP SURREALISM
    Sep 1, 2013 · Fans of Mark Ryden's fantasy world featuring fuzzy animals, big-eyed girls, meat and big daddy Abraham Lincoln will be delighted to learn ...
  25. [25]
    Tracing the connections between Bunnies, Bees, and Abe Lincoln
    Abraham Lincoln keeps popping up in Ryden's paintings. Honest Abe was a self-taught man born in the backwoods of Kentucky. Always a champion for the common ...
  26. [26]
    Mark Ryden: Anima Animals | July 3 – August 29, 2020
    The characters' otherworldly demeanors found within are inspired by the idiosyncratic and playfully proportioned faces of 1950s vintage plush animal toys.Missing: Americana | Show results with:Americana
  27. [27]
    Mark Ryden's The Gay 90's - Ektopia
    Mark Ryden's The Gay 90's · 30/7/2013 30/7/2013 · Mark Ryden has had a ... preparatory sketches. You can see how ideas are layered and decisions are in the ...
  28. [28]
    Anima Animals - Mark Ryden
    Dec 15, 2020 · Inspired by the Rushton toys that enjoyed their heyday in America in the '60s and '70s, these creatures are now the object of a cult worship ...Missing: hairless symbolism
  29. [29]
    Meat — Mark Ryden
    Meat simply has a very strong visual quality. The wonderful variety of textures and patterns in the marbling of the meat is sumptuous.Missing: symbolism children Lincoln religion
  30. [30]
    Mark Ryden: Yakalina 9 | April 1 – May 30, 2022 - Kasmin Gallery
    Apr 1, 2022 · Yakalina 9 features sculptures and drawings of the mysterious animal recently created by Ryden. Yakalina has a long conical body covered with ...
  31. [31]
    ART GUIDE - The New York Times
    Dec 14, 2001 · Bunnies, choice cuts of raw meat, the visage of Abraham Lincoln and sugary religious icons are among his ongoing motifs.Missing: recurring | Show results with:recurring
  32. [32]
    "The Meat Show" - October 1998 - Mark Ryden
    I believe to get ideas you have to nourish the spirit. I stuff myself full of the things I like: pictures of bugs, paintings by Bouguereau and David, books ...Missing: symbolism motifs Lincoln consumerism
  33. [33]
    Juxtapoz Winter, 1998 - Mark Ryden
    Renowned for his obscenely prolific dual careers as fine artist and illustrator - a stint which has produced work for nearly every pop culture magazine with a ...Missing: early | Show results with:early
  34. [34]
    The Meat Show - Mark Ryden
    The Meat Show. Mendenhall Gallery, Pasadena, California, 1998. Paintings. The Angel of Meat. The Ecstasy of Cecelia. The Debutante. A Dog Named Jesus.Missing: Sobieski | Show results with:Sobieski
  35. [35]
    The Meat Show Catalog - Porterhouse Fine Art Editions
    The Meat Show catalog is from "The Meat Show", the exhibition of fine art oil paintings at Mendenhall Gallery in Pasadena, California in October 1998. The ...Missing: Sobieski | Show results with:Sobieski
  36. [36]
    ART IN REVIEW; Mark Ryden -- 'Bunnies and Bees'
    Dec 7, 2001 · Mark Ryden produces painstakingly painted, pastel-colored canvases of less-than-innocent children in surroundings so compulsively packed with nutty detail.
  37. [37]
    Bunnies & Bees - Mark Ryden
    Bunnies and Bees. Earl McGrath Gallery, New York, New York, 2001. Paintings. The Ringmaster. Puella Animo Aureo. Jessica's Hope. Sophia's Mercurial Waters.
  38. [38]
    Contemporary No. 52, May, 2003 - Mark Ryden
    Each of Blood's ten miniature paintings is a meditation on an internal world of wounded emotional life and painful withdrawal.
  39. [39]
    Blood - Mark Ryden
    Blood. Earl McGrath Gallery, Los Angeles, California, 2003. Paintings. 40. The Baptism of Jajo. The Cloven Bunny. Drips. Fountain. Lincoln's Head.
  40. [40]
    Wondertoonel — Mark Ryden
    A book titled Wondertoonel der Nature that features etched images of his collection, which included preserved and taxidermied animals, skeletons, mysterious ...Missing: critical reception
  41. [41]
    Pictures From the Unibrow Revolution - LA Weekly
    Ricci painter Mark Ryden set attendance records with his “Wondertoonel” retrospective at the Pasadena Museum of California Art (PMCA) last spring; Robert ...Missing: reception | Show results with:reception
  42. [42]
    Wondertoonel Press - Mark Ryden
    Ryden is a postmodern icon maker. His canvases are stocked with a strange and inscrutable array of personal symbols that open a door to the secret life.Missing: Central | Show results with:Central<|control11|><|separator|>
  43. [43]
    https://www.laweekly.com/pictures-from-the-unibrow-revolution/
  44. [44]
    The Snow Yak Show: Ryden, Mark, Nara, Yoshitomo - Amazon.com
    This book showcases Mark Ryden's Snow Yak Show, featuring mysterious winter landscapes, angelic figures, and snow yaks, with large format images, detail shots, ...Missing: Dorothy Circus Rome 2008
  45. [45]
    Mark Ryden and the Snow Yak
    This latest body of work features an array of new scenes set in a mystical snow encrusted land populated by ghostly pale moon children and highly uncanny yet ...Missing: Dorothy Rome 2008
  46. [46]
    Report from Mark Ryden's “The Snow Yak” show in Tokyo
    Feb 12, 2009 · Last Saturday we touched down in Tokyo to join friends and fans of Mark Ryden in order to see his latest exhibition "The Snow Yak Show" at ...Missing: 2006-2015 | Show results with:2006-2015
  47. [47]
    The Gay 90's — Mark Ryden
    The Gay 90's Olde Tyme Art Show. Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York, New York, 2010. Paintings. Grinder. Incarnation. The Piano Man. Pink Lincoln.
  48. [48]
    Mark Ryden: 'The Gay 90s: Old Tyme Art Show' - The New York Times
    May 6, 2010 · Painting and drawing with the skill of a Beaux-Arts academician, Mark Ryden creates funny pictures of big-eyed female waifs whose dreamy ...Missing: Mendenhall Sobieski
  49. [49]
    The Gay '90s: A Portfolio: 24 Plates - Mark Ryden - Barnes & Noble
    In stock $6.99 next-day deliveryThe Gay '90s: A Portfolio brings together 24 meticulously reproduced plates from Ryden's celebrated exhibitions, including The Gay 90's Olde Tyme Art Show and ...
  50. [50]
    https://www.markryden.com/the-gay-90s
  51. [51]
    mark ryden - SF Bay Arts
    Jan 9, 2012 · Mark Ryden's “The Tree of Life” painting will be on exhibition in “The Artist's Museum, Los Angeles Artists 1980-2010” show at The Museum of ...
  52. [52]
    Releases: Mark Ryden – “The Tree of Life” Lithograph
    Releases: Mark Ryden – “The Tree of Life” Lithograph. Posted by ... December 2011 (156) · November 2011 (163) · October 2011 (182) · September ...
  53. [53]
    Mark Ryden Designs Sets, Costumes for Ballet 'Whipped Cream'
    Feb 18, 2017 · Ryden designed the sets and costumes for the new American Ballet Theatre production "Whipped Cream." The so-called "two-act confection" is based ...
  54. [54]
    [PDF] Mark Ryden - Kasmin Gallery
    Oct 12, 2022 · Mark Ryden was born in Medford, Oregon, in 1963. Now based in Portland, Oregon, he regularly exhibits with Kasmin and Perrotin, who put on two ...
  55. [55]
    Mark Ryden: The Art of Whipped Cream | May 20 – July 28, 2017
    The exhibition will feature drawings, sketches and paintings created for the production of American Ballet Theatre's Whipped Cream.
  56. [56]
    Mark Ryden: The Art of Whipped Cream Exhibition to Open May 19 ...
    May 19, 2017 · Whipped Cream is based on the two-act ballet with libretto and score by Richard Strauss, originally created as Schlagobers and performed at the ...
  57. [57]
    Whipped Cream, a World Premiere by ABT, Choreographed by ...
    Oct 5, 2016 · Designing the sets and costumes for Whipped Cream is artist Mark Ryden. Known as a forefather of Pop Surrealism, Ryden will create a fantastical ...
  58. [58]
    Mark Ryden's Anima Animals - Amazon.com
    Inspired by mid-century Rushton toys and rendered with the precision of an old master, these creatures blur the boundaries between innocence and eeriness.Missing: hairless symbolism
  59. [59]
    Bringing Mark Ryden's Anima Animals to Life - The Kasmin Review
    Encased in ornate, hand-carved wooden frames of the artist's design, Ryden's playful creatures are rendered ethereal and godlike. “Ryden has chosen to bestow ...Missing: 2020 | Show results with:2020<|separator|>
  60. [60]
    MARK RYDEN — 'ANIMAL SECRETS' - Artsy
    May 19, 2022 · Animal Secrets comprises 10 paintings and 12 works on paper that further develop the artist's series of portraiture featuring mysterious and ...
  61. [61]
    Animal Secrets - Mark Ryden
    Animal Secrets. Perrotin Gallery, Paris, France, 2022. Paintings. Fratello della Tavoletta. Tavoletta Rosa. Tavoletta Azzurri. Tavoletta Bionda.
  62. [62]
    https://www.markryden.com/animal-secrets
  63. [63]
    Pink Pop - Ryden x Barbie
    Ryden x Barbie. Kasmin Pop Up Gallery, Los Angeles, California, 2022 www.barbiexryden.com. Paintings. Nature Queen. Pink Pop Barbie. Barbie Bee.Missing: 2020s | Show results with:2020s
  64. [64]
    In Mark Ryden x Barbie, the alum and Pop Surrealism artist ...
    Nov 16, 2022 · One Barbie sports Gothic black lipstick and a fuzzy bumble bee-striped faux fur dress. Another doll with wavy pink hair holds a meat purse.
  65. [65]
    https://www.artcenter.edu/connect/dot-magazine/articles/mark-ryden-barbie-mattel-creations.html
  66. [66]
    Mark Ryden, 'Eye Am' at Perrotin, Los Angeles, United States - Ocula
    Oct 16, 2025 · View images of the exhibition and selected artworks. Mark Ryden, 'Eye Am' at Perrotin, Los Angeles, United States on 30 Oct–20 Dec 2025.
  67. [67]
    Mark Ryden “Eye Am” @ Perrotin Gallery, Los Angeles
    Oct 29, 2025 · “The King of Pop Surrealism" is returning to where it all began, Los Angeles, for an exhibition of new works titled Eye Am opening at ...
  68. [68]
    Art fair: Art Basel Hong Kong - Kasmin Gallery
    Art Basel Hong Kong. Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, March 26 – 30, 2025 ... Mark Ryden · Jan-Ole Schiemann · Joel Shapiro · Bosco Sodi · Dorothea ...
  69. [69]
    Mark Ryden “The Sentinel” oil on panel 10 x 13 inches - Instagram
    Mar 24, 2025 · Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 @artbasel. KASMIN GALLERY March 26-30. Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition @artbaselhongkong. more. View all 99 comments.
  70. [70]
    Biography — Mark Ryden
    His work first garnered attention in the 1990s when he ushered in a new genre of painting, "Pop Surrealism", dragging a host of followers in his wake. Ryden has ...
  71. [71]
    Art Prostitute No. 08, 2006 - Mark Ryden
    I did many album covers. I preferred them to other commercial projects because with an album cover I could make a painting that was the most like my fine art ...
  72. [72]
    https://www.markryden.com/art-prostitute-no-08-2006
  73. [73]
    Dangerous - Art of Design
    Nov 24, 2018 · Take a breathtaking tour through the design and conception of Michael Jackson's Dangerous album cover by Mark Ryden.Missing: commercial illustration
  74. [74]
    https://www.artofdesignonline.com/dangerous.html
  75. [75]
    The Gay Nineties Olde Tyme Music - Porterhouse Fine Art Editions
    The Gay Nineties Olde Tyme Music. All profits from this record were donated to “Little Kids Rock,” a nonprofit that revitalizes music education in ...
  76. [76]
    Mark Ryden Taps Katy Perry and Nick Cave for LA Show - Artnet News
    May 7, 2014 · Released in a limited edition of 999 albums, the red vinyl records are each signed by Ryden and are available for $99.99, both at the gallery ...
  77. [77]
    Katy Perry Featured on Pop Artist Mark Ryden's $100 'Gay Nineties'
    May 2, 2014 · The concept album, which will raise funds for disadvantaged kids, also features Mark Mothersbaugh, Danny Elfman and Metallica's Kirk Hammett all singing the ...<|separator|>
  78. [78]
    Matthew Hall | Sofar Sounds
    Matthew Hall is an indie folk musician with psychedelic nuances. Mainly accompanied by “The Mailroom” —Mark Ryden on drums, Christian Elwood on keys, and Mark ...
  79. [79]
    https://www.sofarsounds.com/artists/matthew-hall-c55104ac-2aa5-4c9c-8a7c-042d0a35d04a
  80. [80]
    See Surrealist Artist Mark Ryden's Cheerfully Unsettling New Barbie ...
    Nov 9, 2022 · Mark Ryden X Barbie sees the Pop Surrealist artist partner with Mattel for a new limited edition collection of dolls and pop-up art ...
  81. [81]
    Books - Mark Ryden
    Books. Yakalina Secrets. Mark Ryden's Yakalina Secrets is the wondrous second installment in the artist's incredible gallery of creatures.Missing: Hall Wonders
  82. [82]
    Wondertoonel Exhibition Book - Porterhouse Fine Art Editions
    30-day returnsWondertoonel Exhibition Book. Wondertoonel - Paintings by Mark Ryden, is a forty page catalog containing thirty paintings from the Wondertoonel exhibition ...
  83. [83]
    The Tree Show Exhibition Book - Mark Ryden
    The Tree Show revolves around a familiar but freighted subject, one that penetrates our lives on multiple levels and reflects much about the values by which we ...Missing: 2005 | Show results with:2005
  84. [84]
    ▷ Baby Bos Black by Mark Ryden, 2022 | Vinyl Sculpture | Artsper
    Baby Bos is a limited edition figurine designed by Mark Ryden and produced by Artoyz in Paris, France. The figure is made of vinyl and measures 15 cm high. It ...
  85. [85]
    Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Ryden! - Arrested Motion
    Nov 7, 2009 · In what looks to be a magical wedding deep in the forest, Mark Ryden and Marion Peck tied the knot amongst friend and family.
  86. [86]
    Artist Mark Ryden Talks New Exhibit 'Gay Nineties,' Katy Perry and
    May 8, 2014 · Artist Mark Ryden Talks New Exhibit 'Gay Nineties,' Katy Perry and Abraham Lincoln (Q&A). The opening of the pop artist's latest show on May 2 ...<|separator|>
  87. [87]
    Mark Ryden's foray into set design is a fantastical ballet of ...
    Mar 15, 2017 · Painter Mark Ryden, known for his vaguely unsettling fairy tale images, has designed sets and costumes for American Ballet Theatre's production ...
  88. [88]
    Inside the surreal home of artists Marion Peck and Mark Ryden
    Aug 16, 2016 · Artists Marion Peck and Mark Ryden are known for works of surrealist pop art that have often confounded critics, even as they intrigue and ...
  89. [89]
    Works - MARK RYDEN & MARION PECK: Mysterium Coniunctionis
    Jan 14, 2017 · Dorothy Circus Gallery proudly presents “Mysterium Coniunctionis” a duo show presenting very rare and limited edition prints from the ...
  90. [90]
    Juxtapoz Magazine No. 161 June, 2014 - Mark Ryden
    It was all supposed to happen on November 11, 2011, just a quiet continuation of Mark Ryden's ... I graduated from Art Center in Pasadena thinking I was going to ...
  91. [91]
    Pop Surrealism: The Lowbrow Art Movement and Its Impact
    Apr 28, 2025 · In his masterfully executed oil paintings, Mark Ryden featured a hauntingly beautiful kind of mythology that takes place in a fairy-tale world ...
  92. [92]
    [PDF] Mark Ryden - Kasmin Gallery
    "Bunnies and Bees,” Grand Central Art Center, Santa Ana, CA. 2001. "Bunnies ... Mark Ryden: Wondertoonel. Frye Art Museum. (exh. cat.) 2005. Kraus, Chris ...
  93. [93]
    Mark Ryden's first retrospective exhibition in Europe - M O W
    Dec 18, 2016 · This exhibition, which covers 20 years of creations, is being presented as one of the most important in Mark Ryden's career, in the words of the artist himself.Missing: Japan | Show results with:Japan
  94. [94]
    Mark Ryden and the high point of art's Lowbrow movement
    Jun 21, 2013 · A new book of work by American painter Mark Ryden underscores how far vernacular art has moved into the mainstream.
  95. [95]
    An Introduction to Lowbrow Art and Pop Surrealism - Redbubble Blog
    Mar 28, 2012 · Lowbrow has no patience for the unskilled, with leading artists such as Mark Ryden, Audrey Kawasaki and Robert Williams demonstrating the value ...
  96. [96]
    Mark Ryden: Drawing a Dividing Line - The New York Times
    May 16, 2014 · Mr. Ryden, 51, has long been admired for his old-master-esque technique, and mega-collectors like François Pinault own his work.Missing: struggles early career
  97. [97]
    From Hollywood to the Art World, the New Celebrity Collectors
    Apr 15, 2014 · The same year, he purchased a Mark Ryden drawing at MoCA's FRESH silent auction. In 2010, he interviewed graffiti artist KAWS for Interview ...<|separator|>