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Mark Grotjahn

September 13–October 27, 2012
980 Madison Avenue, New York

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Installation video

Installation view Artwork © Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Installation view

Artwork © Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Installation view Artwork © Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Installation view

Artwork © Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Installation view Artwork © Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Installation view

Artwork © Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Installation view Artwork © Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Installation view

Artwork © Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Works Exhibited

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (TBD Mask M12.e), 2012 Painted bronze, 29 ¾ × 7 ¾ × 17 ⅜ inches (75.6 × 19.7 × 44.1 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (TBD Mask M12.e), 2012

Painted bronze, 29 ¾ × 7 ¾ × 17 ⅜ inches (75.6 × 19.7 × 44.1 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (TBD Mask M12.e), 2012 Painted bronze, 29 ¾ × 7 ¾ × 17 ⅜ inches (75.6 × 19.7 × 44.1 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (TBD Mask M12.e), 2012

Painted bronze, 29 ¾ × 7 ¾ × 17 ⅜ inches (75.6 × 19.7 × 44.1 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Brown and Pink Yellow Mask M6/7.b), 2011 Painted bronze, 27 ¾ × 10 ⅜ × 16 ½ inches (70.5 × 26.4 × 41.9 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Brown and Pink Yellow Mask M6/7.b), 2011

Painted bronze, 27 ¾ × 10 ⅜ × 16 ½ inches (70.5 × 26.4 × 41.9 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Brown and Pink Yellow Mask M6/7.b), 2011 Painted bronze, 27 ¾ × 10 ⅜ × 16 ½ inches (70.5 × 26.4 × 41.9 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Brown and Pink Yellow Mask M6/7.b), 2011

Painted bronze, 27 ¾ × 10 ⅜ × 16 ½ inches (70.5 × 26.4 × 41.9 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Dark Blue Over Light Blue Orange Brown Nose Morgan Mask M21.b), 2012 Painted bronze, 33 ¾ × 29 ½ × 32 inches (85.7 × 74.9 × 81.3 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Dark Blue Over Light Blue Orange Brown Nose Morgan Mask M21.b), 2012

Painted bronze, 33 ¾ × 29 ½ × 32 inches (85.7 × 74.9 × 81.3 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Dark Blue Over Light Blue Orange Brown Nose Morgan Mask M21.b), 2012 Painted bronze, 33 ¾ × 29 ½ × 32 inches (85.7 × 74.9 × 81.3 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Dark Blue Over Light Blue Orange Brown Nose Morgan Mask M21.b), 2012

Painted bronze, 33 ¾ × 29 ½ × 32 inches (85.7 × 74.9 × 81.3 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Brown and Black Heavy Texture Pink Reveal Mask M16.a), 2012 Painted bronze, 43 ½ × 16 × 5 ¼ inches (110.5 × 40.6 × 13.3 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Brown and Black Heavy Texture Pink Reveal Mask M16.a), 2012

Painted bronze, 43 ½ × 16 × 5 ¼ inches (110.5 × 40.6 × 13.3 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Darker Indigo Blue Rub Mask M14.f), 2011 Painted bronze, 30 × 18 × 14 inches (76.2 × 45.7 × 35.6 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Darker Indigo Blue Rub Mask M14.f), 2011

Painted bronze, 30 × 18 × 14 inches (76.2 × 45.7 × 35.6 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Darker Indigo Blue Rub Mask M14.f), 2011 Painted bronze, 30 × 18 × 14 inches (76.2 × 45.7 × 35.6 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Darker Indigo Blue Rub Mask M14.f), 2011

Painted bronze, 30 × 18 × 14 inches (76.2 × 45.7 × 35.6 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Fingered and Rubbed Turquoise Mask M11.d), 2012 Painted bronze, 22 × 17 ½ × 13 inches (55.9 × 44.4 × 33 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Fingered and Rubbed Turquoise Mask M11.d), 2012

Painted bronze, 22 × 17 ½ × 13 inches (55.9 × 44.4 × 33 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Fingered and Rubbed Turquoise Mask M11.d), 2012 Painted bronze, 22 × 17 ½ × 13 inches (55.9 × 44.4 × 33 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Fingered and Rubbed Turquoise Mask M11.d), 2012

Painted bronze, 22 × 17 ½ × 13 inches (55.9 × 44.4 × 33 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Through the Sky and Yellow Mask M11.b), 2012 Painted bronze, 22 × 17 ½ × 13 inches (55.9 × 44.4 × 33 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Through the Sky and Yellow Mask M11.b), 2012

Painted bronze, 22 × 17 ½ × 13 inches (55.9 × 44.4 × 33 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Through the Sky and Yellow Mask M11.b), 2012 Painted bronze, 22 × 17 ½ × 13 inches (55.9 × 44.4 × 33 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Through the Sky and Yellow Mask M11.b), 2012

Painted bronze, 22 × 17 ½ × 13 inches (55.9 × 44.4 × 33 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Mask M21.a), 2012 Painted bronze, 33 ¾ × 29 ½ × 32 inches (85.7 × 74.9 × 81.3 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Mask M21.a), 2012

Painted bronze, 33 ¾ × 29 ½ × 32 inches (85.7 × 74.9 × 81.3 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Mask M21.a), 2012 Painted bronze, 33 ¾ × 29 ½ × 32 inches (85.7 × 74.9 × 81.3 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Mask M21.a), 2012

Painted bronze, 33 ¾ × 29 ½ × 32 inches (85.7 × 74.9 × 81.3 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Green Eyes and Orange Cream Mask M6/7.f), 2012 Painted bronze, 27 ¾ × 10 ⅜ × 16 ½ inches (70.5 × 26.4 × 41.9 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Green Eyes and Orange Cream Mask M6/7.f), 2012

Painted bronze, 27 ¾ × 10 ⅜ × 16 ½ inches (70.5 × 26.4 × 41.9 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Green Eyes and Orange Cream Mask M6/7.f), 2012 Painted bronze, 27 ¾ × 10 ⅜ × 16 ½ inches (70.5 × 26.4 × 41.9 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Green Eyes and Orange Cream Mask M6/7.f), 2012

Painted bronze, 27 ¾ × 10 ⅜ × 16 ½ inches (70.5 × 26.4 × 41.9 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Red and Yellow Hanging Leg Mask M10.c), 2012 Painted bronze, 14 ¾ × 20 ½ × 14 ¾ inches (37.5 × 52.1 × 37.5 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Red and Yellow Hanging Leg Mask M10.c), 2012

Painted bronze, 14 ¾ × 20 ½ × 14 ¾ inches (37.5 × 52.1 × 37.5 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Red and Yellow Hanging Leg Mask M10.c), 2012 Painted bronze, 14 ¾ × 20 ½ × 14 ¾ inches (37.5 × 52.1 × 37.5 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Red and Yellow Hanging Leg Mask M10.c), 2012

Painted bronze, 14 ¾ × 20 ½ × 14 ¾ inches (37.5 × 52.1 × 37.5 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (French Grey Pink Mask M17.a), 2012 Painted bronze, 14 × 10 ¾ × 12 inches (35.6 × 27.3 × 30.5 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (French Grey Pink Mask M17.a), 2012

Painted bronze, 14 × 10 ¾ × 12 inches (35.6 × 27.3 × 30.5 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (French Grey Pink Mask M17.a), 2012 Painted bronze, 14 × 10 ¾ × 12 inches (35.6 × 27.3 × 30.5 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (French Grey Pink Mask M17.a), 2012

Painted bronze, 14 × 10 ¾ × 12 inches (35.6 × 27.3 × 30.5 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Into the Heart and Spotted FK2 Mask M8.b), 2011 Painted bronze, 30 × 15 ¾ × 6 ¾ inches (76.2 × 40 × 17.1 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Douglas M. Parker Studio

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Into the Heart and Spotted FK2 Mask M8.b), 2011

Painted bronze, 30 × 15 ¾ × 6 ¾ inches (76.2 × 40 × 17.1 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Douglas M. Parker Studio

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Top White Mask M14.e), 2011 Painted bronze, 23 ½ × 10 × 17 inches (59.7 × 25.4 × 43.2 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Top White Mask M14.e), 2011

Painted bronze, 23 ½ × 10 × 17 inches (59.7 × 25.4 × 43.2 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Top White Mask M14.e), 2011 Painted bronze, 23 ½ × 10 × 17 inches (59.7 × 25.4 × 43.2 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Top White Mask M14.e), 2011

Painted bronze, 23 ½ × 10 × 17 inches (59.7 × 25.4 × 43.2 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Top Gates Mask M22.h), 2011 Painted bronze, 28 ½ × 17 ⅜ × 18 inches (72.4 × 44.1 × 45.7 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Top Gates Mask M22.h), 2011

Painted bronze, 28 ½ × 17 ⅜ × 18 inches (72.4 × 44.1 × 45.7 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Top Gates Mask M22.h), 2011 Painted bronze, 28 ½ × 17 ⅜ × 18 inches (72.4 × 44.1 × 45.7 cm)© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Top Gates Mask M22.h), 2011

Painted bronze, 28 ½ × 17 ⅜ × 18 inches (72.4 × 44.1 × 45.7 cm)
© Mark Grotjahn. Photo: Rob McKeever

About

Gagosian is pleased to present Mark Grotjahn’s first exhibition of painted bronze sculptures.

Grotjahn’s Mask sculptures are deceptive. Cast in bronze from spontaneous cardboard assemblages that he has been working on privately for over a decade, they record all the nuances of the original found material with its corrugations, dents, tears, and creases. Each original cardboard form—taller, deeper, flatter, or roughly cut away—spawns up to eight bronze casts, produced according to the lost-mold casting method. (In some instances, Grotjahn has even retained the channels that transport the molten metal into the slip, transforming them into powerful formal elements.) The bronzes are vigorously painted, often with the fingers, in a riotous spectrum of color—deep violet with green accents, puce, scarlet, emerald, turquoise, scumbles of pastel shades, sober or fiery tones. While many of them are expressively and compellingly rendered in abstract terms, others seem primarily to be supports for the fact of Grotjahn’s authorship, their surfaces covered by his erratically blocked signature or initials. Most of them rest on pedestals, stubbornly sculptural, while a few are wall-mounted, referring directly to painting. Specifically, they speak to Grotjahn’s contrasting bodies of work, the Face and the Butterfly paintings—the former with their elaborate textures and primitive style, their savage quality underscored by the cardboard on which they are painted; the latter with their densely layered and nuanced monochromes.

The Mask sculptures recall the simple cardboard box constructions typical of early classroom activity—emulated so charmingly by Picasso for his own children during the idyllic Mediterranean years—flat, square faces with holes for eyes, a tube for nose, and a slightly larger hole or slash for a mouth. Sometimes the face is given just one of the three facial features. Replaying the inspirative relationship between the early modernists and the arts of Africa and Oceania, they also explore the obsession with surface initiated by the Tachists and Abstract Expressionists. Like his predecessors, Grotjahn establishes an aesthetic remove from his referents via the processes of fabrication and production, thus his sculptures manifest both an undeniable primal intensity and a sophisticated yet endearing appeal.

News

Photo: Olivier Zahm

Artist Spotlight

Mark Grotjahn

May 27–June 2, 2020

In his paintings, drawings, and sculptures, Mark Grotjahn interweaves and revitalizes various historical modes of abstraction, probing the limits between gesture and geometry, impulse and exactitude. His works unfold according to precise yet mutating rubrics, resulting in an expansive vocabulary of visual motifs that migrate from one series to the next in almost obsessive permutations. By finding variations within his immediately identifiable style, Grotjahn reveals the complexities of authorial gesture.

Photo: Olivier Zahm