Don Ed Hardy Art
In the world of art and fashion crossovers, there likely isn’t a more polarizing figure than Don Ed Hardy (b. 1945), a talented artist whose reputation as a tattoo master was blemished by the adoption of his work into a controversial fashion line. But there’s much more to Hardy’s story than the clothing — it begins with his revolutionizing the tattoo industry and ends with a bout of artistic redemption.
Born in Newport Beach, California, Hardy displayed an aptitude for drawing at a young age; he would go on to earn a degree in printmaking at the San Francisco Art Institute, where he took illustration classes under the likes of Bay Area figurative painters such as Joan Brown. But rather than pursue a career as a fine artist, Hardy turned to tattooing as his main form of expression, studying under tattoo legend “Sailor Jerry” Collins before traveling to Japan to learn from tattoo master Horihide. These two icons would influence Hardy’s style, which he would develop in his own shop.
Hardy’s first space, Realistic Tattoo Studio, opened in 1974. It was modeled after Japan’s premium tattoo parlors and was the first appointment-only tattoo studio in the United States. (Tattooing was less than low-brow in America at the time. New York City, for example, criminalized the act in the early 1960s, and the law remained in place for the ensuing decades.) Hardy would go on to create elaborate, sprawling back and chest pieces for his private clients and soon opened an additional public studio called Tattoo City. The artist garnered recognition for his work in the academic community, earned the Tattoo Artist of the Year award at the World Tattoo Convention in Houston in 1979, and by 1982, he was copublishing books on tattooing. Hardy played a major role in changing the public’s perception of tattooing from something that had been relegated to the margins to mainstream body art.
Of course, that shift in perception would ultimately lead to Hardy’s licensing of his work in 2003 to fashion magnate Christian Audigier of lifestyle apparel brand Von Dutch fame. Audigier plastered Hardy’s drawings across flamboyant hooded sweatshirts, which found a niche among quite a few controversial celebrities, including cast members of American reality-television series — this tainted the brand with a negative connotation. Some turned against Hardy, decrying Audigier’s apparel as gaudy and tasteless.
“People began globally to know my images, my name and my signature, but they didn’t know there was a real person behind it,” Hardy told CNN. Hardy and Audigier’s partnership ended in a settlement after a court battle in 2009.
Hardy has returned to the world of fine art, with galleries, museums and collectors lauding his drawings and paintings. In 2019, Hardy became the subject of a retrospective at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. Although he retired from tattooing in 2008, he still works closely with Tattoo City, which is currently managed by his son, Doug.
Find Don Ed Hardy’s richly illustrated prints and more at 1stDibs.
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Don Ed Hardy art for sale on 1stDibs.
Artists Similar to Don Ed Hardy
- What is Ed Hardy famous for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024Ed Hardy is famous for revolutionizing the tattoo industry with his artwork. He created elaborate, sprawling back and chest pieces for his private clients at his studios. In 1979, he won the Tattoo Artist of the Year award at the World Tattoo Convention in Houston, and by 1982, he was co-publishing books on tattooing. Hardy played a major role in changing the public's perception of tattooing from something that had been relegated to the margins to mainstream body art. That shift in perception would lead to Hardy's licensing of his work in 2003 to fashion magnate Christian Audigier of the lifestyle apparel brand Von Dutch. Audigier used Hardy's drawings on flamboyant hooded sweatshirts, t-shirts and other pieces. Explore a variety of Don Ed Hardy art on 1stDibs.
- Is Ed Hardy still a thing?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Yes, Ed Hardy is still a thing. Don Ed Hardy officially retired from tattoo art in the 2000s but did continue to paint. His classic and contemporary work appears on apparel and accessories produced by the Ed Hardy brand through a licensing agreement. Explore a collection of Ed Hardy art on 1stDibs.
- Who designs for Ed Hardy?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024Who designs for Ed Hardy varies. The graphics that adorn pieces in the brand's collections come from the artwork of tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy. In 2003, Christian Audigier licensed the graphics and began incorporating them into his designs for apparel and accessories. Since Audigier's death in 2015, the Ed Hardy brand has been less active. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Don Ed Hardy art.
- When was Ed Hardy created?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024The Ed Hardy brand was created in 2004. Tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy licensed his work in 2003 to a streetwear brand, and fashion magnate Christian Audigier of lifestyle apparel brand Von Dutch fame became a sublicensee. Audigier formally plastered Hardy’s drawings across flamboyant hooded sweatshirts and other items in 2004, which found a niche among quite a few controversial celebrities, including cast members of American reality-television series. As an artist in his own right, Hardy's career launched when he opened his first tattoo parlor in 1974. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of Ed Hardy art.
- Why is Ed Ruscha important?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Ed Ruscha is a multi-medium contemporary artist who has widely been hailed as an important player in the Pop Art movement. You can shop a selection of Ed Ruscha’s pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs
- What is Ed Ruscha famous for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Ed Ruscha is famous for his text paintings made during the 1960s. The American conceptual and Pop art artist was born on December 16, 1937, in Omaha, Nebraska. On 1stDibs, you can shop a collection of Ed Ruscha textual art.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024The Sand in the Vaseline from Ed Ruscha is the name of a work of art. Ruscha produced the piece by painting the words "sand in the vaseline" in egg yolk on gray satin. His goal in producing the painting was to evoke feelings of confusion in the viewer. When asked about his motives, he responded, "Isn't disorientation one of the best things about making art?" Find a range of Ed Ruscha art on 1stDibs.
- What is Ed Ruscha's art style?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024Ed Ruscha's art style is Pop art. He is especially well known for elevating words and signage into works of art. Ruscha began his famous series of word paintings in the 1960s, depicting various views of the Hollywood sign and the logos of studios like 20th Century Fox, but also roadside views like the Standard Oil stations dotting L.A.'s freeways. Over time, these became more abstract, with ambiguous, free-floating phrases pinned to natural vistas, scenes of highways and monochrome backgrounds. Shop a variety of Ed Ruscha art on 1stDibs.
- How did Ed Ruscha make his art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Ed Ruscha made his well-known collage art by combining words and images from advertisements and other pieces of media. He often incorporated found items and unconventional materials like blood, liquid medicine and food. You'll find a selection of Ed Ruscha art on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Ed Ruscha is a conceptual artist. His work also shows elements of Pop art. However, the artist does not associate his own work with either movement. He is well known for his text paintings first produced during the 1960s. Find a variety of Ed Ruscha on 1stDibs.
- Where are Hardy fly reels made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Hardy fly reels are made in Alnwick, England. William Hardy started selling angling equipment in Alnwick in 1874, and grew into developing exceptional tackle, giving this company an extensive history. On 1stDibs, find an array of Hardy fly reels from top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, John Hardy jewelry is not made in China. John Hardy jewelry was founded by the Canadian designer John Hardy, who began designing jewelry inspired by Indonesian culture. All John Hardy jewelry is made at the John Hardy compound in Bali, which was built in 1996. Shop a collection of John Hardy jewelry from reputable retailers, such as 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024To tell if a John Hardy bracelet is real, familiarize yourself with the hallmarks that the Indonesian luxury jewelry maker has used over its more than 45-year history. You can find images of markings found on authentic pieces on trusted online resources. Compare the pictures to your jewelry, looking for any irregularities in the spelling, positioning and wording that may indicate your piece is counterfeit. Also, check the bracelet carefully for flaws, such as variations in the finish or poorly functioning clasps. Genuine John Hardy pieces are usually free of these types of defects due to the jewelry maker's rigorous quality standards. If you're still unsure whether your piece is real, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable jeweler can assist you. Find a diverse assortment of John Hardy bracelets on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024To tell if John Hardy jewelry is authentic, look for a maker's mark, usually found in an inconspicuous area, such as on the clasp of a necklace or the inside of a bracelet. Early pieces typically feature a “JH” logo along with a metal hallmark, while later ones usually bear the full “John Hardy” name alongside a metal hallmark. You can find photographs of markings on authentic pieces on trusted online resources to compare to your piece. If you notice any discrepancies, your jewelry may be a replica. For further assistance with authentication, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable jeweler. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of John Hardy jewelry.