Biography 2

He began creating wall pieces in 1954 with an idea to make them as ugly as possible in an attempt to understand beauty. Kienholz found his materials in back alleys and got most of his paint from auto shops and backrooms of house paint dealers. He would give his more figurative constructions satirical titles but leave his more abstract works untitled. At the end of 1958, Kienholz abandoned wood relief for a more three-dimensional assemblage. Some of the more known ones are John Doe (1961), Roxy’s (1961-62), Barney’s Beanery (1965), and Backseat Dodge ’38 (1964). From 1970 on he collaborated on works with his wife and fellow artist Nancy Reddin.

John Doe (1961)

Roxy’s (1961-62)

Backseat Dodge ’38