Kenton Nelson
(American, born 1954)
Biography
Kenton Nelson is a contemporary American artist best known for his stylized, figurative, large-format paintings and murals. His works, as seen in his Swim Party series, portray an idealized yet eerie depiction of mid-century American life in a style that has its origins in American Regionalism and the work of WPA artists. Replete with pin-up girls and sun-soaked beach scenes, the artist’s works have a tacit eroticism that is frozen in time. Similar to Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Edward Hopper, and Grant Wood, Nelson depicts silent narratives that evoke a sense of quiet stoicism. Born Roberto Kenton Nelson in 1954 in Pasadena, CA, his interest in art stems from his great-uncle, Mexican muralist Roberto Montenegro, who was a contemporary and close friend of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Nelson went on to study at California State University, Long Beach and the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles before pursuing a career as a commercial poster artist. His works have been exhibited at the Pasadena Museum of California Art, Plus One Gallery in London, and have served as the cover image for The New Yorker magazine on five separate occasions. The artist currently lives and works in Pasadena, CA.
Kenton Nelson Artworks
Kenton Nelson
(53 results)
English (US)
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