James Gortner


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

Selected Archived Painting Projects

  1. Tarot Card Paintings (2008-present)
  2. The Darkside Portraits (2005-2007)


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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.



Tarot Card Paintings 

 
James Gortner's "Tarot Card Paintings" series represents a body of work developed over several years, exploring themes of temporality, transformation, and personal connection. Each piece combines elements of realism and abstraction through a distinct multi-layered process.

The foundation of each work begins with an assemblage of found canvases—paintings that have been discarded or abandoned by other artists. Gortner physically rivets these canvases together to create larger composite surfaces. He then paints over the assemblages, incorporating existing elements while adding new imagery that ranges from photorealistic to abstract. The resulting works contain visible traces of their original components while presenting entirely new compositions.

The series takes its inspiration from the Tarot, the ancient system of divination that preceded modern playing cards. Each painting in the collection corresponds to specific cards drawn during a 2007 Tarot reading performed by Carolina Palmgren, who would later become Gortner's wife and the mother of his children. This personal connection establishes a biographical framework for the series, embedding each piece with layers of meaning that extend beyond its visual components.

The works present multiple entry points for viewers. Some may focus on the technical aspects of material transformation, some may value the ecological and green gesture the work represents, while others might connect with the mythological elements of the Tarot imagery. Gortner's process embraces this multiplicity of interpretation, allowing the paintings to exist simultaneously as physical assemblages, personal narratives, and visual compositions where diverse artistic styles converge.

Carolina, The Tower, 2008-2015, 
Oil & acrylic on assemblage of found paintings in artists frame, 
94 in x 73.5 in


(private collection)


Carolina, The Magician (n.d)
Oil & acrylic on assembled found paintings w/ artist frame
83 × 76 × 2 in | 210.8 × 193 × 5.1 cm


Carolina, Happiness (n.d.) 
Oil & acrylic on assembled found paintings w/artist frame
88 × 72 × 2 in | 223.5 × 182.9 × 5.1 cm



Carolina, Valor, 2008-2015, 
Oil & acrylic on assembled found paintings w/artist frame
94.25 in x 76.25 in

(available)



Carolina, Death, 2008-2015, 
Oil & acrylic on assembled found paintings w/artist frame
Oil & acrylic on assemblage of found paintings in artists frame, with directed artist participation including artists Kara Walker and Dana Shutz 
84.5 in x 70 in

(available)

Carolina, Three of Swords, 2008-2015, 
Oil & acrylic on assembled found paintings w/artist frame
100 in x 56.5 in


(available)