David Frederick Riley, "It's Only Rock 'n Roll, But I Like It" 2022

DAVID FREDERICK RILEY

December 6, 2022 – January 1, 2023

Scottsdale & Jackson Hole

Opening Reception | Scottsdale | December 8 | 7:00–9:00pm

DAVID FREDERICK RILEY

“It’s Only Rock ‘N Roll, But I Like It”

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Jackson Hole | Scottsdale | AltamiraArt.com

Long Strange Trip

Oil on canvas | 60 x 60 inches Enquire

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DAVID FREDERICK RILEY

At a time rife with division, rock stars represent rare points of unification. Consider the historic aura encircling the likes of James Brown, David Bowie and Debbie Harry. No matter how disparate and distanced their fans may be from each other, their voices spark a shared experience of delight and devotion.

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In his latest body of paintings, David Frederick Riley harnesses the heroism of rock n’ roll stars through emphatic paintings. More than portraits, his canvases capture the charismatic presence of each musician, whether it be the striking stare of Jim Morrison or the immersive instrumentalization of Jimi Hendrix. “I try to present the thing about them that transcends their likeness,” Riley says. “I try to interpret the music through technique by using looser brushstrokes, more paint splatters, and visual cues that relate to the song or the artist.” For instance, Jerry Garcia peers out at the viewer from behind rainbow-hued glasses, while Bob Dylan’s jacket, abstracted

as bold diagonals, suggests the poetic slashes of his lyrics.

Channeling the transcendence of music, Riley lets each painting dissolve into abstraction, with plenty of negative space to invite reflection. Ever since childhood, Riley has listened to the gamut of genres, from the classic rock tracks beloved by his parents to the rock stars he sketched in college. Then as now, he registers music as expansive, opening, an experience that “moves beyond the body.” Ever a storyteller, he channels the chords he loves most into the canvases he now presents.

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Better Call Saul

Oil on canvas | 60 x 40 inches

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Your

Let Me Stand Next To

Fire Oil on canvas | 60 x 60 inches Enquire

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Lonely Hearts Club

Oil on canvas | 62 x 62 inches (for all 4) Enquire

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The Father of Rock ‘n Roll Oil on canvas | 60 x 48 inches

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Jumping Jack Flash Oil on canvas | 72 x 60 inches Enquire

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All Hail the Queen Oil on canvas | 60 x 48 inches Enquire

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Tender Oil on canvas | 60 x 60 inches Enquire

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Rocket Man

Oil on canvas | 48 x 48 inches Enquire

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Rider on the Storm Oil on canvas | 60 x 60 inches

Enquire

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Rolling Stone

Oil on canvas | 60 x 36 inches Enquire

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Totally Oil on canvas | 50 x 40 inches

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Heart of Glass Oil on canvas | 48 x 60 inches

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Janis

Oil on canvas | 36 x 60 inches

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Starman Oil on canvas | 72 x 48 inches Enquire

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Flying High Again

Oil on canvas | 60 x 60 inches

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Rebel Yell

Oil on canvas | 60 x 40 inches

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7038 E Main Street | Scottsdale AZ AltamiraArt.com | 480-949-1256

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David Frederick Riley, "It's Only Rock 'n Roll, But I Like It" 2022

Published on Dec 2, 2022

ALTAMIRA FINE ART

At a time rife with division, rock stars represent rare points of unification. Consider the historic aura encircling the likes of James Brown, David Bowie and Debbie Harry. No matter how disparate and distanced their fans may be from each other, their voices spark a shared experience of delight and devotion. In his latest body of paintings, David Frederick Riley harnesses the heroism of rock n’ roll stars through emphatic paintings. More than portraits, his canvases capture the charismatic presence of each musician, whether it be the striking stare of Jim Morrison or the immersive instrumentalization of Jimi Hendrix. “I try to present the thing about them that transcends their likeness,” Riley says. “I try to interpret the music through technique by using looser brushstrokes, more paint splatters, and visual cues that relate to the song or the artist.”