Biography
The images in Dean Styers paintings may seem at first to be familiar, laden with nostalgia, but they are quickly off-set and complicated by the text which in overlaid on them. An innocent representation of a figure or object takes on an entirely new meaning with a few choice words. What results are paintings which are sometimes cynical, sometimes melancholy, and are always infused with a pop art inspired graphic sensibility. Like 10th generation photocopies, Styers strips his imagery down to the barest visual essentials. Styers' sarcastic, sometimes melancholy aesthetic juxtaposes themes of relationships and unrequited love - darkly conveying a singular pop art inspired sensibility.

Dean first received recognition for his artistic ability in the second grade, when his clay sculpture of a squirrel won him first prize. Inspired by this early achievement, he attended The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. While in Boston, Styers made a name for himself creating record and magazine covers, t-shirt designs and posters for bands such as Aerosmith. His art shows in underground rock clubs gained attention in the local press which then led to showing in more traditional venues. Since moving to Los Angeles in 1998, Styers has exhibited extensively with shows at Ruth Bachofner Gallery, James Gray Gallery, Gallery 825, Forum Gallery, Milo Gallery and many others. He has been shown at The Santa Monica Museum of Art, and the Zimmer Museum, Show and Tell: The Art of Harmony. His work has been featured in several television shows, and in 2005, CAA commissioned Styers to paint portraits of the full cast of Oceans Eleven, and then a second commission for portraits of the executives and owners of the agency.

His work is included in numerous private & corporate collections throughout the US and Japan, including Harry Shearer, George Clooney & the Cartoon Network amongst others. Dean lives and works in Los Angeles.