Eric Fischl: Stories Told brings together 40 large-scale works by the celebrated figurative painter. Born in 1948, Fischl grew up in Long Island and Phoenix, studying at Phoenix College and Arizona State University before earning his B.F.A. in 1972 as part of CalArts’ first graduating class. While CalArts championed experimental art, Fischl largely taught himself traditional painting by studying artists like Manet and Degas. In the late 1970s—when figurative painting was out of fashion—he focused on what he knew best: memories of suburban life and family dynamics.

The exhibition spans from the late 1970s to today, highlighting Fischl’s ongoing exploration of the human figure in tense, ambiguous situations that touch on family secrets, masculinity, privilege, and the blurred lines between public and private life. Alongside his international acclaim, Fischl has deeply influenced Phoenix’s art community through mentorship and philanthropy at Phoenix College, making this survey of his work a meaningful homecoming.