L.A ARTIST AND GALLERY OWNER KII ARENS
Artist, gallery owner, musician and curator Kii Arens wants to bring pure joy to your eyes. His creations represent a decision to move concert-poster gig art into a more ultra-modern direction, away from the nostalgia and reminiscence of the ’60s and the ‘Woodstock’ era. He has produced posters for the likes of Radiohead, Stevie Wonder, Queens Of The Stone Age, Liza and Dolly.
My artistic style.
A pop culture remix simplified by my gut instinct of what I want people to see… what I want to see really. It’s the Yin to the Yang of the current insanity that our leader has brought us to. It’s sunshine in a time of shadows.
Los Angeles is a good place to be an artist; it influences my image making.
The many cultures that collide in the City of Angels makes for a great grab bag of visual treats. From the untouched burger and donut joints to the high brow art seen in the big galleries; I have endless resources to draw from.
More people… more cultures… more art.
But you got to do it every day to survive. It all comes from the gut. I’ve always been very observant of all things visual; fonts, colour combos, etc. It’s my life long obsession.
For creative inspiration.
Old art books by Josef Albers, vintage movie poster books, psychedelic album covers. The most challenging part is usually when I receive too much of an inspiration board from a client. If someone has a preconception on what I’m about to create it almost never works to match brains.
Artists I dig.
Heroes: Warhol, Hirst, Picasso, Freddie Mercury, Prince, Sid Krofft, Jim Henson, Roger Dean, Gordon Parks, Bill Aucoin and Carol Channing.
On working with Dolly Parton.
An amazing experience. She’s a total pro and works really fast. She trusts what I do and she leaves me be. It’s different with every artist I work with. The mediums and methods change a lot.
Most memorable experience, working with musicians.
Directing Devo was both good and bad. I loved working with Mark and couldn’t stand working with Gerry. It almost became a bit of a comedy with the kind of verbal abuse I’d get. But at the same time he also paid me the highest compliment I’ve ever received. I guess that’s the sign of a mad genius.
My advice to creatives out there who may be looking to become a gig art illustrator is…
Make something for someone you love. Surprise them, so many of my clients became my clients that way. This one’s from my dad: ’Feast or famine, do only your art.’
For the full story and gallery check out the latest issue available here
