James Gortner
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The works also play with art historical references, most notably Cubism, Surrealism, and Pop Art.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.
Good Knight, 2021
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 60 in
(Private Collection)
Shadowless Horse, 2021
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 60 in
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Knight & Day, 2024
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 60 in
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Dirtbag Of Gold, 2024
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 48 in
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Call Me Knights Inversal, 2021
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 60 in
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Call Me The Never-Ending Story, 2025
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 60 in
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Ride-Or-Die Zebra Pegasus, 2025Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 60 in
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Castled King, Or Castled King Apes About, Black Gold, The Inverted Yellow Star Conspiracy, Animal Retaliation, And Unconditional Plumes, 2021
Reclaimed oil, acrylic, and spray paint on canvas, 72 in x 48 in
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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)
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.