In Mark Ryden's latest exhibition "Eye Am" at Perrotin Los Angeles, the cult artist unleashes a world of whimsy and wonder that defies interpretation. The show, which features 12 new works, is an immersive experience that whisks viewers away to fantastical realms where reality and fantasy blur.
Ryden's signature style - a blend of kitsch, surrealism, and pop culture references - is on full display here. His paintings are like puzzles waiting to be solved, with intricate details and symbols that invite close inspection. The artist himself describes his process as "organic" and "intuitive," allowing the work to evolve organically through multiple layers of meaning.
The exhibition hall was filled with devotees dressed in elaborate costumes - pirates, Pierrot clowns, and fairy-like creatures - all united in their fascination with Ryden's oeuvre. It was a scene that felt both surreal and strangely familiar, as if one had stumbled into one of the artist's own paintings.
Throughout "Eye Am," Ryden explores themes of spirituality, connection to nature, and the human condition. His art is less about explicit messages than it is about evoking an emotional response or sparking the imagination. Whether depicting a wounded Christ pouring communion wine from his stigmata or a fleshy, worm-like form with an embedded eye, Ryden's work is both unsettling and awe-inspiring.
One of the standout pieces in the exhibition is "Creatura," which brings together elements of taxidermy, natural history, and spiritual symbolism. The painting shows a young woman kneeling in a glade surrounded by fantastical creatures - a large cat, a sea urchin, and even a miniature pink elephant - all gazing reverently at a stellated tetrahedron, or Merkaba.
For Ryden, the concept of spirituality is closely tied to the natural world. He believes that we are part of a larger web of life, connected to each other and to the earth in ways both visible and invisible. His art reflects this worldview, often incorporating elements of mysticism and symbolism that invite viewers to ponder the mysteries of existence.
Ultimately, Ryden's "Eye Am" is an exhibition about wonder, awe, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. It invites us to step into the artist's fantastical realms, where anything is possible and the boundaries between reality and fantasy dissolve. As we navigate these dreamlike landscapes, we may discover our own secrets and symbols - or perhaps simply find ourselves lost in the beauty and enchantment of Ryden's art.
Ryden's signature style - a blend of kitsch, surrealism, and pop culture references - is on full display here. His paintings are like puzzles waiting to be solved, with intricate details and symbols that invite close inspection. The artist himself describes his process as "organic" and "intuitive," allowing the work to evolve organically through multiple layers of meaning.
The exhibition hall was filled with devotees dressed in elaborate costumes - pirates, Pierrot clowns, and fairy-like creatures - all united in their fascination with Ryden's oeuvre. It was a scene that felt both surreal and strangely familiar, as if one had stumbled into one of the artist's own paintings.
Throughout "Eye Am," Ryden explores themes of spirituality, connection to nature, and the human condition. His art is less about explicit messages than it is about evoking an emotional response or sparking the imagination. Whether depicting a wounded Christ pouring communion wine from his stigmata or a fleshy, worm-like form with an embedded eye, Ryden's work is both unsettling and awe-inspiring.
One of the standout pieces in the exhibition is "Creatura," which brings together elements of taxidermy, natural history, and spiritual symbolism. The painting shows a young woman kneeling in a glade surrounded by fantastical creatures - a large cat, a sea urchin, and even a miniature pink elephant - all gazing reverently at a stellated tetrahedron, or Merkaba.
For Ryden, the concept of spirituality is closely tied to the natural world. He believes that we are part of a larger web of life, connected to each other and to the earth in ways both visible and invisible. His art reflects this worldview, often incorporating elements of mysticism and symbolism that invite viewers to ponder the mysteries of existence.
Ultimately, Ryden's "Eye Am" is an exhibition about wonder, awe, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. It invites us to step into the artist's fantastical realms, where anything is possible and the boundaries between reality and fantasy dissolve. As we navigate these dreamlike landscapes, we may discover our own secrets and symbols - or perhaps simply find ourselves lost in the beauty and enchantment of Ryden's art.
. It feels like an immersive experience where you're not quite sure what's real or just part of the artwork 
. The way he incorporates symbolism and mystical elements makes me think his art is more about evoking emotions than making a clear statement. What I'd love to know is how people respond to these kinds of exhibitions - do they leave feeling inspired, unsettled, or just curious? 
and it was SOOOO trippy! Mark Ryden's art is like nothing I've ever seen before - it's all so colorful and weird, but in a good way 
. He makes you feel like you're stepping into one of his paintings, where anything can happen. I loved the costumes people were wearing too 
, they really got into character. The artwork itself is like puzzles, with so many little details to look at. I was fascinated by this one piece called "Creatura" - it's like taxidermy meets fantasy world 
. Ryden's art makes me think about the connection between us and nature...like we're all part of something bigger 
. Overall, it was an amazing experience that left me feeling kinda lost in a good way 
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. Mark Ryden's art is like a sugar rush for the upper class - all flash, no substance. They're just buying into his pseudo-spiritual vibes because they can afford to get lost in his fantasy world 
. It's all about the Instagram likes and social status, not actual art or meaning 
. The fact that people are paying top dollar to be in a room with Ryden's overpriced paintings is just crazy 
.
and it's cool that he's exploring themes like connection to nature & spirituality, even if it's not always straightforwardly explained. overall, i think the exhibition hall vibe was pretty on point, too - all those people dressed up as fantastical creatures? 
! Like, I walked into this room and I'm surrounded by these crazy cool paintings that are all puzzle-y and stuff... and then there were people dressed up like clowns and pirates and fairy creatures all over the place 
. Did you guys check out that exhibit? What did you think?