Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Geo Abstract Reveal Face 41.61) (detail), (2011) All images Nicolas Linnert for Art Observed.
Pulling visual and technical elements of different past works into a single series, Mark Grotjahn has mounted his latest groupings of face paintings at Anton Kern Gallery. The exhibition comprises nine large-scale pieces that project highly stylized elements of the visage. Nine Faces is on view through June 25.
More text and images after the jump…
Installation view at Anton Kern Gallery.
Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Into the White Waterfall Face 41.28) (detail), 2010.
For Nine Faces, the artist continues with his exploration of the eyes, nose and mouth through simple geometries. However, unlike previous monochrome sets, the nine paintings on view are saturated with thick, extended flourishes of oil that is set closely against varying colors. Technically, the works are produced by heavy strokes of oil on cardboard that is then mounted on linen.
The large paintings shown here straddle representation and abstraction, referencing elements of Jackson Pollock’s expressive, and turbulent use of media while considering Frank Stella’s orderly, serial lines and color patterns. Together, these paintings show an effort that is representatively reductive, formally sequential, and visually expansive.
Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Yellow Brown and Pink Big Nose Face 41.03), 2010.
Grotjahn has had solo shows at the Los Angeles Hammer Museum, Blum & Poe, Takashi Murakami’s Kaikai Kiki Gallery in Tokyo. This is his third show at Anton Kern Gallery.
-N. Linnert
Related Links:
Mark Grotjahn [Anton Kern]
Mark Grotjahn: ‘Nine Face’ [NYTimes]
