Frank Kozik

Frank Kozik "Hubris"

October 10, 2009 - November 7, 2009
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 10th, 7-10 pm

BILLY SHIRE FINE ARTS
5790 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
phone: 323-297-0600
www.billyshirefinearts.com
[email protected]

On-line press release with images:
www.leejosephpublicity.com/show/kozik09

Credited with single handedly reviving the “lost” art of the concert poster, Frank Kozik’s creative career grew largely out of his enthusiasm for Austin’s growing underground rock scene in the mid-eighties. Starting with black and white flyers for friend’s bands posted on telephone polls, his reputation grew as an artist whose work was graphically compelling as well as culturally gripping. With hundreds of full-color, limited edition, silk screened posters under his belt for such renowned artists as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Beastie Boys, he has also been the subject of many magazine articles such as Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Spin, and Details. During Kozik's poster art era, he also headed up the legendary Man's Ruin Records label which released about 200 elaborately packaged titles on vinyl and CD.

After his run as a poster artist, Kozik entered the word of sculpting and designing (as well as collecting) vinyl toys which is his current passion. "I am really trying to make toys that are their ‘own thing’ and have little or no connection to the stuff I did for the music/lowbrow scene. I wanted a whole new vibe and scene, and I believe it has happened, and it is refreshing. I am basically not a believer in an afterlife, so I really don’t care what posterity says. I am enjoying making the toys NOW, that’s all that matters” states Kozik who is very interactive in the world of vinyl figures and can often be found participating in discussions on the Kid Robot site. "In my previous career I went to see bands almost every night as part of it. Being in this toy scene, it’s an internet-based collective with occasional events, so I want to be personally involved. I’m a collector and fan as well. I like trading and selling and buying and obsessing. It interests me. Most toy people I have met are really cool and it is firmly international. That’s cool." states Kozik, who has also designed and released high-end limited "vinyl busts" of Chairman Mao, Joseph Stalin, Ho Chi Minh and Ludwig Van Beethoven (with a Clockwork Orange twist) in small editions of 50 per colorway which are avidly scooped up by his collectors and fans.

Kozik's art tends to indulge a bit of dark humor. He does not "over think" the process and creates whatever takes his fancy
http://www.fkozik.com/