Arie Knoops was born and raised in NYC during the 60s and 70s, this was a time when the city was at its best, and its worst. The diversity within the city’s unique and different neighborhoods installed a sense of history and cultural memory into him. This was further reinforced in him as both sides of his family lived under the occupation of Europe during WW2.

After completing his BFA from Cooper Union in NY, he moved to Arizona. It was here that he embraced the barrenness of the desert, that was rich with its own special history. This sense of history and memory has usually guided his pursuits, from tuning pipe organs to driving a horse drawn carriage in NYC, as well as his passion for fencing and vintage motorcycles.

Currently he lives in San Francisco