John Zurier, Silent, 2017. Photo: Peter Macchia

John Zurier

Far Again

29.5 2021 – 26.9 2021

Malmö

At first glance, American artist John Zurier’s paintings give the impression of being monochrome, but on closer examination they reveal rich nuances and modulations in colour and treatment. This is a subtle, finely tuned and consistent abstract painting where nothing is superfluous.

John Zurier paints on different types of grounds. In the dialogue between canvas and paint, the artist accentuates marks in the fabric or makes lines that relate to and enhance the picture format. The paintings emerge in a meditative process that demands the artist’s attention and takes time.

Worlds and moods that open up while looking at Zurier’s colour spaces are dream-like and ephemeral. At the same time, lines that emphasise the format or marks in the canvas and surface lead the viewer back to the painting’s physicality and invite us to be present in the moment.

John Zurier was born in Santa Monica, California, in 1956. His practice is based in Berkeley, California, and Reykjavik. The pieces in this exhibition are from recent years. Many of them were made in Iceland in 2020. This is John Zurier’s first solo exhibition at a museum outside the USA. Zurier studied painting at University of California, Berkeley. In addition to galleries in the USA and Europe, he has been shown at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco (2018), New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe (2016) and other museums and biennials, including São Paulo, Brazil (2012) and the Whitney Biennial (2002). Moderna Museet has one work by the artist in its collection.

Curator: Iris Müller-Westermann

The exhibition is in the Right Gallery and the New Gallery

Map of Moderna Museet Malmö
Map of Moderna Museet Malmö

Images

Monochrome painting in green
John Zurier, Votilækur (For Nina), 2016 Photo: Vigfús Birgisson
Painting in pink and yellow
John Zurier, Reykjavik-Berkeley, 2020 Photo: Nina Zurier
Monochrome painting in pink
John Zurier, Near april, 2019 Photo: Peter Macchia
Monochrom painting in blue
John Zurier, Late summer, 2020 Photo: Nina Zurier