Frank E Hollywood is an esteemed Dutch contemporary artist. Hollywood studied at the St. Joost academy of art in Breda, the Netherlands, where he early on sought out the boundaries of autonomous and commercial art. His works explore the tensions between the past, present and future. Not interested in simply reimagining the past, Hollywood draws on a collective visual memory of the past, to present us with something truly new and exceptional.
Similar to the renaissance masters, his visceral works are fraught with allegorical symbols. However, within Hollywood’s works, the symbols are entirely modern. In the spirit of the old masters, Hollywood also aims to be an archetype of the Modern Renaissance artist, the “uomo universale”. Not limited to one specific medium or technique, his body of works range from oil paintings to marble sculptures. Using a range of mediums he sees fit to convey his message.
His highly sought after techniques have certainly garnered the attention of the art world. Hollywood is originally from Amsterdam and has permanent representation from art galleries in Amsterdam and Barcelona. Hollywood has exhibited throughout Europe in major leading galleries and has shown in many prestigious art fairs.
Hollywood is also a well-known face of art on Dutch TV and his artwork often discussed on shows. Regularly appearing in the media, Frank has appeared in Dream school, MTV Moneymakers and Stars on the Canvas to name a few.
A highly collectable artist, Frank Hollywood is definitely one to watch. Hollywood: “History likes to repeat itself. Our age is one of self-indulgence and it has a lot of parallels with the 17th century and late 19th century. Globalization and the technological revolution have generated unprecedented opportunities, both positive and negative. Vanity is no longer immoral or perverse; instead, it is considered a virtue to be rewarded with likes!”
Represented by: Gallery Wolfsen (Denmark) – Samuel Owen Gallery (USA) – Villa Del Arte (Amsterdam) – Reload Gallery (UK) – The Boutique Gallery (Belgium).
Self-taught or art school?
I would say both as my art academy thought me a lot but I think I learned more from putting in the hard work and hours myself.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
Most likely ‘The threatened swan’ by Jan Asselijn c1650 It is such a powerful piece of a swan that fiercely defends its nest against a dog. In later centuries this scuffle was interpreted as a political allegory: the white swan was thought to symbolize the Dutch statesman Johan de Witt (assassinated in 1672) protecting the country from its enemies.
How would you describe your style?
I don’t like pinpointing that kind of labels on it that is for others to decide. I consider myself somewhat of a uomo universale
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
I always start with collecting things I find inspirational whether that is online or in real life during travelling for example. I put these things into folders or physical boxes in my studio. It is pretty random there is now a system to it. Those are my treasures from which I draw up sketches or concepts. Sometimes things remain in there for years without being touched. But in some shape or form, they always pop up in a work that I make at some point in time.
Usually, ideas pop into my head like lightning but if not I can always draw from these gems. After the concept is thought up there is the sketching phase. That usually doesn’t take up a lot of time and it is just a raw draft of the idea for personal reference. This is then followed up by the actual production phase of things. If that production requires a craft I am skilled at it usually is just a formality like in painting. But if it is something out of my comfort zone like sculpting. I have to look into how I can make it my own. Whether that means learning a new craft like modelling a 3d file on my computer or polishing up on techniques I just know the basics of.
Is narrative important within your work?
It is or at least for me it is otherwise I will just be doing decorative design. Which there is nothing wrong with but definitely not considered art in my opinion
Who are your favourite artist and why?
I don’t have one in particular but I have a soft spot for the skilled rebels like Duchamp and Picasso. Artists who follow the adage: “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
What or who inspires your art?
I don’t have a single particular thing that inspires me. Inspiration comes from all directions and it slips through the doors and cracks.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
I have my studio here in Amsterdam it is attached to my house which is sometimes a pain in the butt because I am never not working.
Do you have any studio rituals?
Not that I know of..
What are you working on currently?
I am working on multiple things at the moment. One is my platform for NFT’s I have been developing this with three other people since November. Well and other than that doing 4 new oil paintings and a marble Rolex.
Where can we buy your art?
Through Leontia Gallery
or
https://frankhollywood.com/collections/shop
