Mark Ryden's Anima Animals

Mark Ryden

ISBN 10: 2374951413 / ISBN 13: 9782374951416

Published by Cernunnos, FR, 2020

About this Item

Mark Ryden returns with 20 new incredible portraits of creatures From his Snow Yak to his very personal interpretation of the California bear, for more than 20 years Mark Ryden has populated an incredible "pop surrealist" bestiary of half-animal, half-plush creatures. Freely inspired by the Rushton toys that enjoyed their heyday in America in the '60s and '70s, these creatures are now the object of a cult worship among fans of the artist, and are one of his marks of distinction in the world of contemporary art. This book reveals the details and backgrounds of the 20 new paintings Mark Ryden has created for his 2020's show at Emmanuel Perrotin's gallery in Shanghai, but also some of his most iconic master-pieces showcasing yaks and others creatures of his own mythology. With a statement essay from the artist and an introduction by Takashi Murakami ("the Warhol of Japan"), this "little pink book" will become an instant classic for the lovers of contemporary art and surrealism.

Seller Inventory # LU-9782374951416

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Mark Ryden's Anima Animals
• Publisher: Cernunnos, FR
• Publication Date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 2374951413
• ISBN 13: 9782374951416
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 1160 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Step into the whimsical and uncanny world of Mark Ryden, the celebrated pioneer of Pop Surrealism.

This lavishly produced volume features 60 color plates, an artist statement, and an insightful essay by Linda Tesner. Encased in Ryden’s signature pink design, the book offers an intimate look at the artist’s creative process, from paintings and drawings to porcelain sculptures and installations.

For over two decades, Ryden has conjured a bestiary of fantastical beings―half-animal, half-plush―infused with nostalgia and mystery. Inspired by mid-century Rushton toys and rendered with the precision of an old master, these creatures blur the boundaries between innocence and eeriness.

In Anima Animals, Ryden unveils more than forty works, including iconic figures like the Snow Yak and his reimagined California bear, alongside new paintings created for his acclaimed exhibition at Galerie Perrotin in Shanghai. Each piece invites viewers into a dreamlike narrative, where archetypes, kitsch, and mysticism collide in a surreal visual symphony.

Perfect for collectors, art enthusiasts, and fans of contemporary surrealism, Anima Animals is more than a monograph―it’s a portal into a universe where imagination reigns supreme and every creature tells a story.

About the Author

Blending pop culture themes 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 topics loaded with cultural connotation.