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John Mason

Geometric Force

January 10–February 15, 2020
Park & 75, New York

Installation view Artwork © 2020 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Rob McKeever

Installation view

Artwork © 2020 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Rob McKeever

Installation view Artwork © 2020 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Rob McKeever

Installation view

Artwork © 2020 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Rob McKeever

Installation view Artwork © 2020 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Rob McKeever

Installation view

Artwork © 2020 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Rob McKeever

Works Exhibited

John Mason, Spear, Mint Sky Blue, 2016 Glazed ceramic, 64 × 27 × 27 inches (162.6 × 68.6 × 68.6 cm)© 2016 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Jeff McLane

John Mason, Spear, Mint Sky Blue, 2016

Glazed ceramic, 64 × 27 × 27 inches (162.6 × 68.6 × 68.6 cm)
© 2016 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Jeff McLane

John Mason, Folded Spear, Blue Green, 2016 Glazed ceramic, 62 × 27 × 27 inches (157.5 × 68.6 × 68.6 cm)© 2016 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Jeff McLane

John Mason, Folded Spear, Blue Green, 2016

Glazed ceramic, 62 × 27 × 27 inches (157.5 × 68.6 × 68.6 cm)
© 2016 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Jeff McLane

John Mason, Figure, Dark Blue, 2015 Glazed ceramic, 62 ½ × 20 × 24 inches (158.8 × 50.8 × 61 cm)© 2016 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Jeff McLane

John Mason, Figure, Dark Blue, 2015

Glazed ceramic, 62 ½ × 20 × 24 inches (158.8 × 50.8 × 61 cm)
© 2016 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Jeff McLane

John Mason, Crosses, Three of a Kind, 2004 Glazed ceramic, in 3 parts, each: 33 × 26 × 26 inches (83.8 × 66 × 66 cm)© 2004 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Jeff McLane

John Mason, Crosses, Three of a Kind, 2004

Glazed ceramic, in 3 parts, each: 33 × 26 × 26 inches (83.8 × 66 × 66 cm)
© 2004 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Jeff McLane

John Mason, Orange Cross, 1963 Glazed stoneware, 64 × 49 × 16 inches (162.6 × 124.5 × 40.6 cm)© 1963 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved

John Mason, Orange Cross, 1963

Glazed stoneware, 64 × 49 × 16 inches (162.6 × 124.5 × 40.6 cm)
© 1963 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved

About

Rotation is a form of symmetry. The most common forms of symmetry are reflection, which most people think of as bilateral; rotation; inversion; and translation, which is just moving an object in a line. . . . But the thing about symmetry is it’s invisible. It does not proclaim itself. It’s there, you know, and it has a structural reality.
—John Mason

Gagosian is pleased to present Geometric Force, an exhibition of ceramic works by the late John Mason.

One of the most visionary ceramic artists of the last century, Mason brought his medium into conversation with Abstract Expressionism by extending the physical and spatial properties of clay. He began his career on the West Coast in the 1950s, as part of a group of artists who studied with the pioneering ceramist Peter Voulkos at the Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles. Mason and his contemporaries challenged conventional ideas about ceramics, making large, abstract, subversive works. Mason worked at scale, his wall reliefs and expressionistic sculptural works matching the ambitious painting and sculpture of the era. In his Los Angeles studio, which he shared for a time with Voulkos, they began employing industrial techniques and technologies: humidifiers from fruit packing plants, which allowed clay to stay pliable for longer periods of time; heavy-duty dough mixers; and a custom-built kiln that enabled him to fire works six feet in height, often using up to two tons of clay at a time.

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News

John Mason, Crosses, Three of a Kind, 2004 © 2004 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Jeff McLane

Tour

John Mason
Geometric Force

Saturday, January 11, 2020, 2pm
Gagosian, Park & 75, New York

Join Gagosian for a tour of the exhibition John Mason: Geometric Force, opening at Gagosian, Park & 75, New York, on January 10, 2020. The tour, led by director Rani Singh, will explore the work of one of the most visionary ceramic artists of the last century. Mason brought his medium into conversation with Abstract Expressionism by extending the physical and spatial properties of clay. Singh will discuss the arc of Mason’s artistic career, his innovative technical developments, and the artworks on display. To attend the free event, RSVP to nytours@gagosian.com. Space is limited.

John Mason, Crosses, Three of a Kind, 2004 © 2004 Estate of John Mason. All rights reserved. Photo: Jeff McLane