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Mark Ryden, Hand-painted Electric Guitar

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Mark Ryden, painted Dean ML Electric Guitar, Oil on Guitar. This incredible piece is an instant Ryden classic. This guitar features a female doll-like face, with golden hair that takes up the entire 17 x 24 span of the guitar body. This is definitely one of the largest, if not the largest face that has been painted by Ryden making this a very valuable work of art by this modern master. Mark Ryden came to preeminence in the 1990's during a time when many artists, critics and collectors were quietly championing a return to the art of painting. With his masterful technique and disquieting content, Ryden quickly became one of the leaders of this movement on the West Coast. Upon first glance Ryden's work seems to mirror the Surrealists' fascination with the subconscious and collective memories. However, Ryden transcends the initial Surrealists' strategies by consciously choosing subject matter loaded with cultural connotation. His dewy vixens, cuddly plush pets, alchemical symbols, religious emblems, primordial landscapes and slabs of meat challenge his audience not necessarily with their own oddity but with the introduction of their soothing cultural familiarity into unsettling circumstances. Clearly infused with classical references, Ryden's work is not only inspired by recent history, but also the works of past masters. He counts among his influences Bosch, Bruegel and Ingres with generous nods to Bouguereau and Italian and Spanish religious painting. Over the past decade, this marriage of accessibility, craftsmanship and technique with social relevance, emotional resonance and cultural reference has catapulted Ryden beyond his roots and to the attention of museums, critics and serious collectors. Ryden's work has been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide, including a recent museum retrospective “Wondertoonel” at the Frye Museum of Art in Seattle and Pasadena Museum of California Art. This is a one-of-a-kind full playable and displayable Instrument of Art. Complete with electronics, pick-ups, strings and hardware installed at Dean USA. It is hand-painted or otherwise decorated by the artist who's name is associated with the guitar. Proceeds from the auction of this guitar go to support LITTLE KIDS ROCK, one of the most exciting music education programs available to public schools in America. This guitar is one of over sixty pieces created for Six-String Masterpieces: The Dimebag Darrell Art Tribute. Curated by Curse Mackey.

Hardware and Electronics installed on April 30, 2007.

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