User:LawrAlkin/sandbox/John Tallacksen

John Tallacksen new article content ... John Tallacksen (born 1982, Rockford, IL) is an American contemporary artist who lives and works in Los Angeles, CA. Tallacksen's work often fits within the Social Realist art movement. His figurative fine art prints and paintings depict the working class residents of Los Angeles and other cities, but especially cares for those in his neighborhood of Pico Union. John was discovered in 2012 through a residency at Self Help Graphics & Arts and by the mentoring of Master Printer Juan Rosillo. Now his work is collected in museums all over the United States such as LACMA and the National Museum Of Mexican Art in Chicago. His prints also reside in many private collections such as: Cheech Marin, Theodore Bikel, Drs. Ricardo and Harriett Romo, and the family archives of the late artist Richard Duardo. Over the years John has worked in conjunction with arts and community organizations like: Self Help Graphics & Arts, Art Division L.A., HOLA (Heart Of Los Angeles), S.A.Y. Yes Pico Union, The Pico Union Project, InterArt. and the Skid Row Housing Trust. In 2014 Tallacksen was hired by renowned artist and Master Printer Richard Duardo as an Assistant Printer and Apprentice at Duardo's legendary studio Modern Multiples. After Duardo's passing, John continued his work as a printer in his mentor's studio and has set his focus on creating solo and group exhibitions with galleries that portray loving observations of his community both in fine art prints and mixed media paintings.