Arnold Iger
Arnold Iger’s work bridges the discipline of traditional printmaking with the curiosity of a lifelong explorer, each piece reflecting his belief that art is both a craft of precision and a journey of discovery.
Arnold Iger is an American artist celebrated for his intricate etchings, multidisciplinary practice, and enduring contribution to contemporary printmaking. His artistic journey began in New York, where early exposure to museums and galleries shaped a lifelong passion for visual expression. This foundation grew into a formal education in San Francisco and advanced training under master printmaker Stanley Hayter in Paris, experiences that deeply influenced his technical mastery and creative direction.
Working across etching, aquatint, illustration, filmmaking, sculpture, and handmade books, Iger has built a body of work that merges traditional craftsmanship with a modern aesthetic sensibility. He is particularly recognized for his elegant floral and botanical etchings, executed with precision, subtlety, and a refined contemporary style. His career reflects constant exploration, evolving skill, and a dedication to pushing artistic boundaries, making him a distinctive and respected voice in the world of printmaking.
Arnold Iger is a multidisciplinary American artist whose richly layered career reflects a lifelong devotion to creative exploration, technical mastery, and visual storytelling. Known for his refined floral etchings and innovative approach to printmaking, his work bridges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary artistic expression.
Arnold Iger, born in 1949 in Brooklyn and raised in New York City, developed an early love for art through frequent visits to museums and galleries. This lifelong exposure to creative environments nurtured his artistic instincts and set the foundation for his future career. During the Vietnam era, he served in the U.S. Air Force, and after completing his service, he relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he would ultimately establish his artistic life and practice.
Iger pursued formal art education in San Francisco, spending two years at the Academy of Art University before continuing with three years of filmmaking and painting studies at the San Francisco Art Institute. Alongside his academic training, he worked in advertising design and illustration—early professional experiences that naturally transitioned into his exploration of printmaking. Driven by a desire to refine his craft, he traveled to Paris to study under Stanley Hayter at the legendary Atelier 17, immersing himself in Hayter’s groundbreaking viscosity printing techniques. Additional travels through Spain and North Africa further enriched his artistic perspective.
Throughout his career, Arnold Iger has worked across a diverse range of media, including etching, aquatint, filmmaking, video work, sculpture, painting, mask-making, and handmade book creation. He is especially recognized for his refined floral and botanical etchings, often produced in limited editions and celebrated for their blend of traditional printmaking methods with modern artistic sensibilities. In recent years, he founded Persona Grata Productions, an avant-garde theatre group, adding yet another dimension to his creative journey. Today, his body of work reflects decades of artistic dedication, experimentation, and mastery.