In James Gortner’s work, painting
becomes a site of transformation. Here, past lives of materials, images,
and intentions converge. His surfaces are sculptural and layered,
composed of reconstructed artist's paintings and reclaimed paint with
history embedded in their very texture. Drawing from spiritual practice,
dream logic, and art historical tradition, he forges visual languages
that reflect the chaos, hope, and interconnection of the present moment.
In James Gortner’s work, painting
becomes a site of transformation. Here, past lives of materials, images,
and intentions converge. His surfaces are sculptural and layered,
composed of reconstructed artist's paintings and reclaimed paint with
history embedded in their very texture. Drawing from spiritual practice,
dream logic, and art historical tradition, he forges visual languages
that reflect the chaos, hope, and interconnection of the present moment.
Gortner studied at The Art Students League of New York and received
his MFA from Columbia University. His work has been exhibited at the
Fisher Landau Center for the Arts (New York), Mana Contemporary (New
Jersey), San Bernardino County Museum (California), the Museum of
Contemporary Art MAC (Chile), and the RW Norton Art Museum (Louisiana).
His work has been featured in print in New American Paintings, New
American Art Collector Magazine, Men’s Journal, Archatectural Digest,
and The Berliner, among other publications. His art is in numerous
private collections, including President Jiang Zemin of China and
actress Reese Witherspoon. James Gortner lives and works in the West
Village of New York City.
Knight Paintings (2021-ongoing)
White is the mixing of all the colors in the rainbow, and black is the absence of this spectrum. The idea was to take the colors theoretically already existing on a chessboard, as shades, and spread them out across the canvas and the motif.
The works also play with art historical references, most notably Cubism, Surrealism, and Pop Art. The color explorations in the work issue far-flung references to Richard Diebenkorn, Wayne Thiebaud, and NC Wythe. The striking change in style between these works and others of my works should recall the chimerical muse of Gerhard Richter and Philip Guston.
These works represent a game in play, not an endgame. Unlike chess, the paintings are about optimization through imperfection and blending of the known with the unknowable. That which we might glimpse through art. The positions these works take are not objective, like in chess, but subjective and open to interpretation.
JAMES GORTNER
Good Knight, 2021
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 60 in
(Private Collection)
JAMES GORTNER
Shadowless Horse, 2021
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 60 in
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JAMES GORTNER
Knight & Day, 2024
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 60 in
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JAMES GORTNER
Dirtbag Of Gold, 2024
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 48 in
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JAMES GORTNER
Knights Inversal, 2021
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 60 in
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JAMES GORTNER
Promotion Of The Sun, 2025
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 60 in
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JAMES GORTNER
Ride-Or-Die Zebra Pegasus, 2025Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 60 in
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JAMES GORTNER
Castled King, 2021
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 48 in
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JAMES GORTNER
Masked Joan Of Arc Riding A Unicorn Knight From Hell, 2024
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 60 in
(Private Collection)
JAMES GORTNER
Dragon Knight, 2025Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 60 in
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To inquire about curating an exhibition of new works in this series at your museum or gallery, please contact the artist.