James Jean "Kindling: New Works on Paper and Canvas"
Jonathan LeVine Gallery
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Jonathan LeVine Gallery presents Kindling, a solo exhibition of new works by James Jean. For his first show at the gallery, Jean has created a collection of original large-scale mixed media paintings and drawings on canvas, linen, and paper. Kindling will be Jean’s debut solo fine art exhibition, marking a highly anticipated event for this remarkably accomplished and acclaimed young artist.
Jean’s imaginative compositions feature ethereal figures; fluid in motion, and graceful in gesture. His fantasy dreamscapes capture compelling moments, often represented beyond the laws of gravity, on an undefined plane. Incorporating traditional symbolism and dynamic narratives, Kindling introduces finely rendered imagery created with Jean’s unique aesthetic, extraordinarily kinetic style and sophisticated color palette. The subjects, as the artist explains, glide through the tableaux, tracing a narrative of thwarted desires. His subtle yet suggestive themes of metamorphosis, mortality, and sexuality blend together seamlessly, bridging the gap between the real and imagined.
Jean uses exquisitely contoured line work to form the spatial relationships between his paint and canvas, resulting in a harmonious balance which can—at times—be experienced as if set to music. Several of his large-scale paintings are divided into multiple panels, echoing motifs from Chinese silk scroll paintings and Japanese wood block prints; two traditions which are sources of inspiration for the works in this show.
Considering his background in the commercial arts, Jean’s genre defying style has raised the bar for a generation of young illustrators, having achieved steady success among elite clientele in the fashion, advertising and editorial industries. Winner of numerous prestigious awards, Jean has arrived at a point in his career, deciding to step away from commercial projects and focus his creative energy on fine art. He now spends his time painting for gallery and museum shows, as well as continuing to publish books on his constantly evolving
Media
Schedule
from January 10, 2009 to February 07, 2009
Opening Reception on 2009-01-10 from 18:00 to 21:00
Artist(s)
Reviews
Went to see this on opening night and it was absolutely packed. There's a lot of hype surrounding Jean's work and the show definitely lived up to it. Definitely appreciated the small room which showed a lot of his process work. If you are a fan of his blog, you'll definitely enjoy the show.
I agree, looking at his website in no way compares to seeing the works face to face. Technically, his work is excellent and if you enjoy looking at his drawings and sketchbooks, you'll enjoy seeing the small drawings he does as prep for paintings. Really enjoyed this.