James Kennedy: Notations

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James Kennedy, "Notation IV," acrylic on incised eucalyptus masonite, 64" x 64"

Born in Northern Ireland, painter James Kennedy studied at the Royal Scottish Academy in Glasgow, where he was also active in the worlds of dance and theater. Now based in New York, he exhibits with leading galleries and art fairs internationally and is represented in prestigious corporate and Museum collections, including The British Museum, Corcoran Group, Saatchi & Saatchi, St. Regis Hotels, and Nordstrom; and private collections including the late Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Edward Albee. 

“Notations”, the Irish painter’s fourth solo exhibition with Callan Contemporary, could be viewed as an organic progression of many of the components explored in previous shows, this time with a particular focus on musical composition philosophized into visual art. Systems, substructures, and syntax undeniably inform the compositional placement of a form, line or gesture, and whether it’s role is symbolic, connective, directive, or a combination of all three. Beyond the recognizable configurations of music, there are a plethora of languages adopted to convey specific things, as in the syncopated era of mathematics, when symbolic abbreviations replaced words, the choreographic notations of Laban and Benish, or the Graphic Notations of John Cage and Sylvano Bussotti. Interestingly, the Italian musician’s visual compositions were so dynamic and captivating that he began selling them as artworks.

Stop by for an opening reception on January 4 from 6 pm–9 pm. callancontemporary.com.