Inspired by Saturday mornings spent watching Sid & Marty Krofft productions in the 1970s, the St. Paul native developed an early fascination with album covers, vintage advertising, pop iconography, and abstract design. Entirely self-taught, Arens has created more than 500 commissioned works for artists and cultural institutions including Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, David Lynch, Dolly Parton, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Radiohead, Lana Del Rey, Beck, Diana Ross, Tame Impala, Kacey Musgraves, DEVO, PIXIES, Glen Campbell, The Doors, Bernie Sanders, Coachella, the Hollywood Bowl, and Desert Trip, widely regarded as one of the most successful music festivals ever staged.

 

Most recently, Arens designed the official Paul McCartney concert poster for the legendary artist’s intimate performance at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood. He also created 24 collectible posters for Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour.

 

Arens’ artwork and installations have appeared in galleries around the world and are recognized for their bold color palettes, retro-futuristic sensibility, and emotionally charged pop imagery. In addition to his visual art practice, he has directed acclaimed music videos and visual campaigns for artists including Elton John, Ringo Starr, DEVO, Queens of the Stone Age, PIXIES, and Glen Campbell. His video for Elton John’s Academy Award-winning song “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” became the defining visual companion to the celebrated track and was prominently featured throughout the 2020 Oscars campaign.

 

Currently, he is the new founder and curator of FAB LA, a contemporary gallery space in downtown Los Angeles’s Fine Arts Building. The 100 year old building is now dedicated to boundary-pushing exhibitions that bridge music, animation, design, and contemporary art culture.