FRED STONEHOUSE
FRED STONEHOUSE born in 1960 in Milwaukee, Winsconsin.
Stonehouse earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1982, and is known for his distinctive style that blends elements of magic realism with influences from folklore and outsider art.
His works, characterized by a sense of rebellion and humor, explore religious and surreal themes, often through nostalgic imagery reminiscent of cartoons of the past. Stonehouse’s art is distinguished by its ability to combine beauty and disorder, creating ambiguous allegories of the contemporary human condition. His influences include the indigenous art of pre-modern Mexico, the surrealist paintings of Frida Kahlo and the writings of Gabriel García Márquez, as well as the figurative expressionism of Philip Guston.
Fred Stonehouse is also an associate professor of art at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Here, he sees himself more as a facilitator than a teacher, guiding students in finding their own artistic style and concepts. His philosophy of art as a solitary archaeology reflects his approach to creation, emphasizing the importance of art making as an ancient and fundamental impulse.
His works have been shown in more than fifteen museum exhibitions in the United States, and are part of such prestigious collections as those of the Milwaukee Art Museum, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and San Jose Museum of Art. Artists such as Madonna and Sheryl Crow own his work. Fred Stonehouse has also been an illustrator for magazines such as Rolling Stone and Playboy, demonstrating nationally and internationally recognized versatility and talent.
