culture
FRED TIEKEN Young at heart and coloring the art world BY NICOLE ROYSE
F
red Tieken is an accomplished artist whose work is expressionistic in style, highlighting personal subjects and experiences through irony and wit. Taking cues from street art, Tieken’s work creates an explosion of color using subjects subtly abstracted and brought to life with a bold color palette and heavy outlining of figures and words. When asked about his work Tieken states that “painting is like baring his soul
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to the world.” This level of emotional commitment comes across vividly in his work. Reminiscent of Basquiat, his paintings are mesmerizing, offering striking imagery filled with great emotion and an intimacy that’s truly refreshing and genuine. “I create colorful paintings that are often peppered with shrewd observations, wry social commentary and smart symbolism,” Tieken says. Tieken began his career as a musician, and then transitioned into a successful graphic design career, ultimately turning to painting after retirement. Painting has been liberating for Tieken, allowing him the freedom to paint whatever he wants, which is a departure from the constraints of his prior graphic design career. Since beginning his painting career, he has quickly garnered a stellar reputation as an artist and has been managed by his wife Gail. Tieken splits his time between studios in Paradise Valley and Venice, California, regularly exhibiting throughout the local area and Los Angeles. He’s exhibited his artwork in both solo and group exhibitions around the nation, including Arizona, California, Miami and New York City, showing in a variety of esteemed venues such as Aqua Art Miami, LA Art Show, Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, Bergamot Station, Agora Gallery, ARTELPHX, The Monorchid and the Herberger Theater Center. His artwork has garnered numerous awards in addition to being featured in numerous publications. Recently, Tieken built a stunning, mid-century modern gallery and studio in Paradise Valley – dubbed Tieken Studio and Gallery AZ – which will showcase his artwork in addition to other national and international artists. Currently, Tieken is in the midst of planning the fall season for his gallery as well as a busy summer season exhibiting his work in Phoenix and Los Angeles. To learn more about artist Fred Tieken, visit www.fredtieken.com.
| JUNE 2016
5/25/16 2:39 PM