Frank KozikOctober 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
fax: 323-297-0601
www.billyshirefinearts.com
info@billyshirefinearts.com
On-line press release with images
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.
(Kozik quotes from Vinyl Pulse.com interview)
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For more information contact Lee Joseph Publicity, p 818-848-2698 f 818-848-2699, leejemail@gmail.com