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John Walker - Recent Paintings - Exhibitions - Alexandre Gallery

John Walker, The Sea No. II, 2014, oil on canvas, 72 x 60 inches 

 

Alexandre Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of recent paintings by John Walker (b. 1939) opening Thursday, October 2nd, at 5:30 pm. This marks the gallery’s first exhibition of Walker’s work. Walker’s last one-person show in New York was at Knoedler Gallery (2011).

Walker’s paintings have always been rigorously abstract, although for him abstraction has its origins in what he sees, and especially what he sees in the natural world. In the recent work, Walker continues his more than decade-long exploration of subjects based on views from his Seal Point studio on the water in mid-coast Maine. The paintings do not naturalistically depict the landscape – sea, sky, rocks, trees, tidal inlets, mud flats – but rather become abstract meditations on the ineffable qualities of a place as Walker has experienced it over the changing seasons, months and years. His subjects could more accurately be described as these changing conditions—light, time and one’s own fragile existence in the world.

Walker paints his landscapes from varying points of view and angles, sometimes from memory, and often repeating similar images or patterns in the same painting to convey a slippage of time or location, from morning to afternoon to evening. Pure color, solid shapes and patterning emerge as more prevalent in these new paintings. In several of the most abstract works luminous variations of cobalt blue or seaweed green and grayed white bands zigzag up and down and across the canvas in schematic wave and wake patterns. In others, gestural swashes of raw rough paint evoke evergreens on rock or flotsam on the surface of the water. Sometimes actual mud is mixed with oil paint resulting in an alchemy and transformation of natural materials into light, space or spirit in the paintings.

With titles such as Brake, Reach, Touch, and Wake, the exhibition will include seven large-scaled paintings (84 x 66 and 72 x 60 inches) and a selection of small and medium sized ones all vertical in format. Also included will be a series of 24 “bingo card” paintings—small- scaled (7 x 5 inches), compact and often intensely worked oil paintings that often become the basis for the larger compositions.

Walker lives and maintains studios in Boston and South Bristol, Maine. Since 1993 he has taught at Boston University where he was Director of the Graduate Painting Program. His work has been the subject of numerous one-person exhibitions in the States and inter- nationally and is in the permanent collections of major museums including The Metropolitan, MoMA, Phillips Collection, which has presented one-person exhibitions of his work in 1982 and 2002, and the Tate in London.

Installations

Installations Thumbnails
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with three large paintings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a corner view of an installation space, with three large paintings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a corner view of an exhibition space, with three large paintings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space with three large paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space with two large paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space with one painting hanging on a white wall and wall text reading "John Walker: Recent Paintings" to the left
Photograph showing two paintings hanging on a grey wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space with sixteen small framed paintings hanging on a grey wall
Photograph showing a detail view of an exhibition, with four small framed paintings hanging on a grey wall
John Walker
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with sixteen small framed paintings hanging on a grey wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with three large paintings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a corner view of an installation space, with three large paintings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a corner view of an exhibition space, with three large paintings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space with three large paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space with two large paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space with one painting hanging on a white wall and wall text reading "John Walker: Recent Paintings" to the left
Photograph showing two paintings hanging on a grey wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space with sixteen small framed paintings hanging on a grey wall
Photograph showing a detail view of an exhibition, with four small framed paintings hanging on a grey wall
John Walker
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with sixteen small framed paintings hanging on a grey wall

Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails
Drift, 2014, oil on canvas, 84 x 66 inches

Drift, 2014, oil on canvas, 84 x 66 inches

Inquire
Abstract seascape painting with organic forms in brown, white and green arranged on blue ground

White Reach #2, 2014, oil on canvas, 84 x 65 inches

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Abstract seascape painting with white forms and lines arranged on a blue ground with a green tree-like form in the background

Touch, 2013, oil on canvas, 84 x 66 inches

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Painting with white, green, brown and grey forms arranged to create an abstracted seascape with a yellow sky in the background

Brake, 2014, oil on canvas, 84 x 66 inches

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Abstract painting with blue, black, green and white bands of paint arranged on the surface and a red circle in the top right corner

The Sea No II, 2014, oil on canvas, 72 x 60 inches

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Abstract painting with green, white, yellow and black bands of paint and yellow marks arranged on the surface and a blue, moon-like form in a black sky at the top of the canvas

Island, 2014, oil on canvas, 72 x 60 inches

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Abstract painting with blue, white, black and brown bands of band arranged on the surface

Raft, 2014, oil on canvas, 84 x 66 inches

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Abstract painting with blue, white, green, yellow, red and brown marks and bands of paint arranged on the surface

Untitled, 2011-2014, oil on canvas, 48 x 36 inches

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Abstract painting with a green and grey anvil-shaped form surrounded by bands of blue and white with a grey sky and white moon overhead

Brake II, 2011-2014, oil on canvas, 48 x 36 inches

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The Sea II, 2011-2014, oil on canvas, 48 x 36 inches

The Sea II, 2011-2014, oil on canvas, 48 x 36 inches

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Abstract painting with white bands of paint, green and yellow marks, and brown and green forms arranged on a blue ground

Tidal Touch, 2014, oil on canvas, 84 x 66 inches

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Abstract painting consisting of swaths of paint in white, green, blue and black

Wake, 2014, oil on canvas, 84 x 66 inches

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Abstract painting with an arrangement brown, black, white, orange and yellow forms and marks

Tide Pool-Maine #10, 2004, oil on canvas, 60 x 48 inches

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Abstract painting with white and blue forms arranged on a textured brown surface

Tide Pool- Maine #9, 2004, oil on canvas, 60 x 48 inches

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Abstract painting consisting of marks and swaths of white, yellow, red, blue, and black

Two Brush Fires, 2013, oil on canvas, 28 x 22 inches

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Brush Fire on the Bay, 2013, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

Brush Fire on the Bay, 2013, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

Inquire
Untitled Panel Painting #2, 2013, oil on panel, 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches

Untitled Panel Painting #2, 2013, oil on panel, 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting consisting of marks of yellow, white, red, green and blue paint

Untitled Panel Painting #1, 2013, oil on panel, 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting consisting of marks of yellow, green, black, white and blue paint

Untitled Panel Painting, 2013, oil and acrylic on panel, 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting consisting of marks in blue, white, red, green and yellow paint

Untitled Panel Painting, 2013, oil and acrylic on panel, 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting consisting of forms and marks in brown, white, green and orange paint

Untitled Panel Painting, 2013, oil and acrylic on panel, 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting on paper with swaths of white, green, yellow and black paint on a beige ground

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting on paper with swaths of white, green and black paint partially obscuring a beige ground with text that reads "Bingo" along the top of the picture plane

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting consisting of swaths of white, black, green and blue paint on a brown ground, partially obscuring text that reads "Bingo" along the top of the picture plane

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting on paper with swaths of white, blue, red and green paint on a beige surface

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting consisting of swaths of white, blue, brown and green paint partially obscuring a beige ground with text that reads "Bingo" along the top of the picture plane

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting consisting of swaths of white, blue and yellow paint partially obscuring a brown ground that reads "Beano"

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting consisting of swaths of paint in white, green and orange partially obscuring a brown ground with text that reads "BEANO" along the top of the picture plane

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting consisting of swaths of white, blue, green and black paint partially obscuring a beige ground with text that reads "BEANO" along the top of the picture plane

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting on paper consisting of marks and forms in yellow, white, black, red, green and blue paint

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting on paper consisting of marks and forms in white, green, black, yellow, blue and orange paint arranged on a beige ground

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting consisting of marks and swaths of blue, white, yellow, green, brown and red paint arranged on a beige ground

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Abstract painting on paper consisting of swaths of black, yellow, white, and green paint arranged on a brown ground

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Inquire
Drift, 2014, oil on canvas, 84 x 66 inches

Drift, 2014, oil on canvas, 84 x 66 inches

Abstract seascape painting with organic forms in brown, white and green arranged on blue ground

White Reach #2, 2014, oil on canvas, 84 x 65 inches

Abstract seascape painting with white forms and lines arranged on a blue ground with a green tree-like form in the background

Touch, 2013, oil on canvas, 84 x 66 inches

Painting with white, green, brown and grey forms arranged to create an abstracted seascape with a yellow sky in the background

Brake, 2014, oil on canvas, 84 x 66 inches

Abstract painting with blue, black, green and white bands of paint arranged on the surface and a red circle in the top right corner

The Sea No II, 2014, oil on canvas, 72 x 60 inches

Abstract painting with green, white, yellow and black bands of paint and yellow marks arranged on the surface and a blue, moon-like form in a black sky at the top of the canvas

Island, 2014, oil on canvas, 72 x 60 inches

Abstract painting with blue, white, black and brown bands of band arranged on the surface

Raft, 2014, oil on canvas, 84 x 66 inches

Abstract painting with blue, white, green, yellow, red and brown marks and bands of paint arranged on the surface

Untitled, 2011-2014, oil on canvas, 48 x 36 inches

Abstract painting with a green and grey anvil-shaped form surrounded by bands of blue and white with a grey sky and white moon overhead

Brake II, 2011-2014, oil on canvas, 48 x 36 inches

The Sea II, 2011-2014, oil on canvas, 48 x 36 inches

The Sea II, 2011-2014, oil on canvas, 48 x 36 inches

Abstract painting with white bands of paint, green and yellow marks, and brown and green forms arranged on a blue ground

Tidal Touch, 2014, oil on canvas, 84 x 66 inches

Abstract painting consisting of swaths of paint in white, green, blue and black

Wake, 2014, oil on canvas, 84 x 66 inches

Abstract painting with an arrangement brown, black, white, orange and yellow forms and marks

Tide Pool-Maine #10, 2004, oil on canvas, 60 x 48 inches

Abstract painting with white and blue forms arranged on a textured brown surface

Tide Pool- Maine #9, 2004, oil on canvas, 60 x 48 inches

Abstract painting consisting of marks and swaths of white, yellow, red, blue, and black

Two Brush Fires, 2013, oil on canvas, 28 x 22 inches

Brush Fire on the Bay, 2013, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

Brush Fire on the Bay, 2013, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

Untitled Panel Painting #2, 2013, oil on panel, 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches

Untitled Panel Painting #2, 2013, oil on panel, 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches

Abstract painting consisting of marks of yellow, white, red, green and blue paint

Untitled Panel Painting #1, 2013, oil on panel, 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches

Abstract painting consisting of marks of yellow, green, black, white and blue paint

Untitled Panel Painting, 2013, oil and acrylic on panel, 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches

Abstract painting consisting of marks in blue, white, red, green and yellow paint

Untitled Panel Painting, 2013, oil and acrylic on panel, 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches

Abstract painting consisting of forms and marks in brown, white, green and orange paint

Untitled Panel Painting, 2013, oil and acrylic on panel, 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches

Abstract painting on paper with swaths of white, green, yellow and black paint on a beige ground

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Abstract painting on paper with swaths of white, green and black paint partially obscuring a beige ground with text that reads "Bingo" along the top of the picture plane

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Abstract painting consisting of swaths of white, black, green and blue paint on a brown ground, partially obscuring text that reads "Bingo" along the top of the picture plane

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Abstract painting on paper with swaths of white, blue, red and green paint on a beige surface

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Abstract painting consisting of swaths of white, blue, brown and green paint partially obscuring a beige ground with text that reads "Bingo" along the top of the picture plane

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Abstract painting consisting of swaths of white, blue and yellow paint partially obscuring a brown ground that reads "Beano"

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Abstract painting consisting of swaths of paint in white, green and orange partially obscuring a brown ground with text that reads "BEANO" along the top of the picture plane

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Abstract painting consisting of swaths of white, blue, green and black paint partially obscuring a beige ground with text that reads "BEANO" along the top of the picture plane

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Abstract painting on paper consisting of marks and forms in yellow, white, black, red, green and blue paint

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Abstract painting on paper consisting of marks and forms in white, green, black, yellow, blue and orange paint arranged on a beige ground

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Abstract painting consisting of marks and swaths of blue, white, yellow, green, brown and red paint arranged on a beige ground

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2014, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Abstract painting on paper consisting of swaths of black, yellow, white, and green paint arranged on a brown ground

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches

Untitled Bingo Card, 2013, oil on Bingo card, 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches