Artist Biography
Alex Freund (He/They) is a multidisciplinary creative and storyteller based in Wichita, KS, whose year-long exhibition, Detour Wichita, is currently on display at CityArts in Downtown Wichita. Freund specializes in "Real Fake Art"—a concept that merges positive nihilism with subversive intent to challenge traditional boundaries of art and design.
With a background in psychology and over a decade of creative experience, Freund’s work strikes a thoughtful balance between the personal and the informational, interwoven with fragmented layers of absurd whimsy and intentional authenticity. By exploring subtle shifts that transform perception, Freund continually pushes the limits of conventional creativity through graphic design, abstract painting, and poetry.
Graphic Design serves as more than just a medium for Freund—it is a tool for connection. Drawing from their Midwest roots, they use their art as a vessel for conversation and community engagement in Wichita, fostering meaningful dialogue and reimagining the power of design.
Their work has been been exhibited at Wichita Art Museum (Foot in the Door - October 10, 2020 - April 18, 2021) and Mark Arts (School of Creativity Salon - August 4 – September 28, 2023). Freund’s first book, a mix of poetry and art, became a Best Seller on Barnes and Noble and Amazon in its first month, attracting attention from readers in the U.S. and internationally.
Artist Biography for Alex Freund - Wichita Based Artist & Designer
Looking to add some real fake art to your collection? Interested in having a cool AF design for your band or event? How about an author talk or book signing?
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abstract.af.gallery@gmail.com
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Drop me a line for all things art & design.
FAQs
Can I purchase original artwork?
Yes and no. My current collection of paintings are not available at this time but will be in the near future. I am working towards making all my works going forward available for purchase through my Store. Ideally I would like to have enough pieces made to justify working with a gallery. You can however purchase original prints in store at The Work Room in Wichita, Ks.
Are you planning on writing another book?
As a matter of fact, YES! I am in the midst of organizing and reworking a new book of poetry and essays in the similar vein as Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends. My hope is to get it to a point where I can pitch it to a literary agency and get a traditional publishing opportunity. There is a blip of an idea on taking my Detour Wichita series and writing an archival book surrounding the history of Wichita’s entertainment scene while implementing my graphic design homages to the concerts within that history. But for now, you can read my internationally published debut book Abstract.
Do you have any advice for aspiring creatives?
Learn everything you can about what interests you. If you have a favorite artist, find out who they are interested in and create a network of reference and philosophy from everything in that network. Physically write things down in a notebook or journal. Carry a pen with you always. Create a commonplace book to document quotes that resonate with you.
Share your works. People aren’t going to be able to be proud of you if you don’t tell them the things you are doing. It isn’t selfish to share something you love with people you love. Wear your clothes, don’t let your clothes wear you.
Ask for help.
Do you do painting commissions? What about graphic design?
I do! As for painting, I have a standard pricing menu based on size of the work you are wanting created. I primarily am interested in doing abstract works at the moment.
Graphic design works I work off an hourly rate for branding projects. I have flat pricing for designs intended for print (posters, shirts, business cards, etc).
Contact me HERE to collaborate.
What is your education and professional background?
My educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology which has largely influenced my creative works thematically. I have had a checkboard of professional experience all circling around the service industry to some degree. Property management, retail banking, and finance are the big three I have been a part of. I work a pretty traditional office day job but it fits into the structure of my life really well. I am trying to embrace this quote by Gustave Flaubert “Be regular and orderly in your life, so you may be violent and original in your (creative) work.
What kind of music do you listen to?
If my music is on shuffle, I can almost promise genre whiplash. In general I listen to alt and blues based rock and piano pop: The Raconteurs, Jukebox the Ghost, Dirty Honey. My range goes from Americana/gothic bluegrass to party sludge: The Decemberists and Amigo the Devil to Upsahl, K. Flay, and Ashnikko. Honorable mentions include Chappel Roan, Mother Mother, Korn, Atmosphere, Primus, grandson, and all time favorite Aerosmith.
Lyrics are what I am most drawn to when it comes to music, but I do enjoy a beautifully crafted composition.
Who or what inspires you?
In short music and art inspire me, without artists like Salvador Dali or Norman Rockwell and creatives like Jack White and Donald Glover, I don’t think I would be the person I am today. Attending concerts and live entertainment energizes me. Looking at art in a museum or gallery is quite calming for my brain. I am interested in branding as a whole, from baseball uniforms to product packaging and everything in between.
The desire to connect with others in indirect ways has been a driving force for my writings. My inability to convey emotions at times has been a catalyst for my paintings. I’m constantly trying to find inspiration in my environment and my conversations I have daily.
Can you design album artwork or tour merch for my band?
I would love to! One of my big goals as a creative is to have my art used for tour merch. With that being said, if you have a band or music project and you want to have some graphics created or if you just have a band or song you feel I would enjoy listening to, please drop me a line.
If you are interested in what I have been listening to lately, checkout my Spotify link for my playlist of artists with 500,000 or fewer monthly listeners at the time the song was added.
If you have contact information for any of the bands on the playlist, send them my info!
How is your last name pronounced?
Freund is pronounced friend. The reasoning I was given from my grandad is that his father didn’t have enough money to change how the last name was spelled when passing through Ellis Island so he opted to just change how it was pronounced. I don’t know that to be true but find it a great story.