James Gortner
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.
Items From Around The Studio, 2007
dimensions variable
Akim, Akim And Black Magic, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Private Collection)
Ferdinand, Ferdinand And The Bull Fighter, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Private Collection)
Self-Portrait, In The Basement, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 62 in x 80 in
(Private Collection)
Hans, Raised By The Wolves, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Private Collection)
Terry, Two Swans, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Available)
Brenda, Crossroads, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Private Collection)
Adreese, Dragon At The Gate. 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Available)
Lisa, Lisa At The Door, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Private Collection)
Ritchie, Rich, 2005-2007
Reclaimed oil and acrylic paint on assembled found paintings, 83 in x 70 in
(Available)
To inquire about curating an exhibition of new works in this series at your museum or gallery, please contact the artist.