James Gortner


New Painting Projects
  1. Ground Breakage II- Old Bell Labs (2024-ongoing)
  2. Knight Paintings (2021-ongoing)
  3. Ground Breakage I- Mana Contemporary (2016-ongoing)
  4. Abstract Constructs (2015-ongoing)

Archived
Painting Projects

  1. Tarot Card Paintings (2008-2020)
  2. Fairies, Angels, and Wizards (2013-2020)
  3. Portraits Made In Darkside (2005-2007)






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©2025

Paintings Made In Darkside 

 
The Darkside Portraits were made during my two-year residency inside a derelict building in East New York City(i.e, old cemetery building, crack house, underground hub for ritual Santaria). During this time, I painted my fellow residents and made the critical repairs to the building needed for our winter survival. I pieced and patched found materials together to repair walls, windows, roof, floors, and doors. All the while using a similar constructive process as used to make the paintings seen here.

The technique employed to make this work is of my own invention. Several smaller works of art (several canvases, panels, and original works of art made by other people) have been constructed together to form the paintings' support, both in content and structure. Sections of the flushed-out surface are painted over, creating some new content while leaving some original content intact. Each work has been framed with cracked and chipped antique doorway molding found in Darkside. The working process as well as the space surrounding this project was intended allegory for the collective and transformative power of art.
JAMES GORTNER
Items From Around The Studio, 2007
dimensions variable  

JAMES GORTNER
Akim, Akim And Black Magic, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Private Collection, EU)
Ask A Question or Book a Studio Visit


JAMES GORTNER
Ferdinand, Ferdinand And The Bull Fighter, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Private Collection, EU)
Ask A Question or Book a Studio Visit
JAMES GORTNER
Self-Portrait, In The Basement, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 62 in x 80 in
(Private Collection, EU)




JAMES GORTNER
Hans, Raised By The Wolves, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Private Collection, EU)
Ask A Question or Book a Studio Visit
JAMES GORTNER
Terry, Two Swans, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Available)
Ask A Question or Book a Studio Visit
JAMES GORTNER
Brenda, Crossroads, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Private Collection, PR)
Ask A Question or Book a Studio Visit
JAMES GORTNER
Adreese, Dragon At The Gate. 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Available)
Ask A Question or Book a Studio Visit
JAMES GORTNER
Lisa, Lisa At The Door, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Private Collection, EU)
Ask A Question or Book a Studio Visit
JAMES GORTNER
Ritchie, Rich, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Available)
Ask A Question or Book a Studio Visit