Homage Collage:

A Brother’s Memoir of The Artist Franklyn Liegel

by Konrad Liegel

The Los Angels-based artist Franklyn Liegel loved Gaudí. During Franklyn’s 33 year career as an artist and art mentor living and working between the freeways of LA from 1979 to 2012, Franklyn created over 30 art works that had the name of Gaudí in their title. “I attribute my art to Gaudí,” he wrote when first visiting Barcelona in 1997.

​After hearing in April 2025 that Pope Francis had declared Gaudí venerable, moving Gaudí one step closer to sainthood, his younger brother Konrad had questions: Why Gaudí? How did the Catalan architect inspire Franklyn with his art? And what can artists and lovers of art gain from an examination of Franklyn’s art and career.

This book is the result of Konrad’s inquiries and reflections. Part memoir. Part art book. It is a deeply personal account of Konrad’s 33 days in his brother’s art studio after Franklyn’s sudden death in 2012, when Konrad worked first alone and then with a widening circle of Franklyn’s art friends to deconstruct his studio.

The book opens a window into Franklyn’s life and his art, and gives homage to an extraordinary art teacher, a singular artist, and a complex and engaging person. Just as Franklyn paid homage in his art to Gaudí. “Franklyn provides a gift for all who wish to see,” wrote Franklyn’s fellow artist Ernest Velardi.

Now made available on the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death and the completion of the Jesus tower in Gaudí’s ever evolving masterpiece, the Sagrada Família.