The Twisted Tales of Mark Ryden

This week, I decided it was time for a post about my favourite artist of the month. I have always been a big lover of art, especially works that tell a story. I’ve never tried to intellectualise art. For me, it’s as simple as staring at it, almost blankly, and seeing what feelings stir within. Artworks that evoke strong feelings, whether they be happy/inspired feelings or even ill feelings where my stomach knots and churns, will always win me over. From the moment I laid eyes on my first Mark Ryden painting, it was love. I have always had a rather morbid fascination with Mr. Ryden. His wonderfully twisted paintings are disturbing yet beautiful, rich with childhood nostalgia. I love his use of religious and political symbolism within a fractured fairytale. His surreal images of doll like cherubic children and mythical creatures are provocative and haunting. Below I have picked out some of my favourites for you. Perhaps these paintings won’t be your cup of tea but I challenge anyone to look at a Ryden piece and feel absolutely nothing!