Mark Ryden: Blood - Miniature Paintings of Sorrow & Fear

by Mark Ryden

"Blood" by Mark Ryden, a miniature exhibition book. Includes details and drawings of paintings from "Blood" exhibited at Earl McGrath Gallery. Distressed leather-like embossed soft cover. Smyth sewn binding, Ninety two pages. Limited printing of 20,000 books (This book will not be reprinted). Each book is individually numbered. Book Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

92 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Blending themes of pop culture with techniques reminiscent of the old masters, Mark Ryden has created a singular style that blurs the traditional boundaries between high and low art. 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 trumped the initial surrealist strategies by choosing subject matter loaded with cultural connotation.

Ryden’s vocabulary ranges from cryptic to cute, treading a fine line between nostalgic cliché and disturbing archetype. Seduced by his infinitely detailed and meticulously glazed surfaces, the viewer is confronted with the juxtaposition of the childhood innocence and the mysterious recesses of the soul. A subtle disquiet inhabits his paintings; the work is achingly beautiful as it hints at darker psychic stuff beneath the surface of cultural kitsch. In Ryden's world cherubic girls rub elbows with strange and mysterious figures. Ornately carved frames lend the paintings a baroque exuberance that adds gravity to their enigmatic themes.

Mark Ryden received a BFA in 1987 from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. His paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide, including a retrospective “Wondertoonel” at the Frye Museum of Art in Seattle and Pasadena Museum of California Art, and in the exhibition "The Artist's Museum" at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. He currently lives and works in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[nez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this shouldn't technically count as a book because it's a piece of art in itself (and sure, there's only about four sentences in the whole thing), but I just have to express my admiration for this artist. Blood is my favourite of Ryden's collections and it contains most of my top paintings of his and this book just highlights all the best parts of it. The addition of quotes and poems, particularly the passages from the Bible and Macbeth, just show the inspiration for and deep thought behind each piece; I really think the man is a genius.

People seem to be disappointed with the size, but the point was to be a miniature book. It has meaning linking to his divorce and the reason behind the whole show - they're all tiny works. I don't know I just really love Ryden and don't see the problem with making a tiny piece to showcase his works, I actually almost prefer it.

[brian tanabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know much about art and I hate the categorization of Ryden's type of art (low brow), but I love his work -- and that's all that matters. This book is incredible, but I am infatuated with this current exhibition, "The Tree Show."

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ryden's paintings are awesome but this book is too small! Small is cool but too small is not.

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was SUCH a disappointment. Measuring in at a whopping 2.5 inches by 3 inches, this book is WAY TOO SMALL!!! I almost thought it was a joke when I recieved it in the mail.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only wish the book was a bit bigger, great artwork nonetheless.

[Johnflynch · Rating 2 out of 5]

a twenty dollar book the size of mu thumb?

this is a rip-off disguised as a concept piece.