Mark Ryden

Mark Ryden’s eerie, dreamlike paintings exemplify the contemporary aesthetics of the “Pop Surrealist” genre. His canvases feature otherworldly characters and enigmatic settings as they reference popular culture and kitsch. Ryden’s figures range from wide-eyed Victorian children in elaborate dress to uncanny, cartoon-like creatures. The artist often produces ornate, carved frames that heighten the classical qualities of his compositions and add to their strange, humorous mystique. Ryden studied at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena and has exhibited in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Berlin, and Barcelona. He has enjoyed solo shows at institutions including the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga, the Frye Art Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, and his work belongs in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Ryden has also produced set and costume design for the American Ballet Theatre.