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Lot Essay
Painted in 2004, Untitled (Lavender Butterfly Jacaranda over Green) conciliates the clash between the organic and the artificial in amazing, singular candescence. Untitled breathes in an almost sentient flare.
The way Mark Grotjahn currently paints grew out of conceptual sign making; he would faithfully reproduce peculiar graphics and phrases from local storefronts in his native Los Angeles. He would then trade these handmade copies to the storeowners in exchange for the original signage.
Citing this practice, many critics hasten to view Grotjahn's current work as subversive, even detached in its minimalism - and the Los Angeles-based artist is no stranger to conceptual hijinx. However, we can see warmth and intimacy in Untitled. Grotjahn often uses hard-edged lines and clamoring angles in his paintings, particularly in his Butterfly series. However, he composed Untitled with delicate subtlety and a coalescing color field, while retaining a sense of geometric definition. Untitled moves, shimmering, organic, and even compassionate: Grotjahn here discards harsh angularity in favor of delicately implied perspective.
The way Mark Grotjahn currently paints grew out of conceptual sign making; he would faithfully reproduce peculiar graphics and phrases from local storefronts in his native Los Angeles. He would then trade these handmade copies to the storeowners in exchange for the original signage.
Citing this practice, many critics hasten to view Grotjahn's current work as subversive, even detached in its minimalism - and the Los Angeles-based artist is no stranger to conceptual hijinx. However, we can see warmth and intimacy in Untitled. Grotjahn often uses hard-edged lines and clamoring angles in his paintings, particularly in his Butterfly series. However, he composed Untitled with delicate subtlety and a coalescing color field, while retaining a sense of geometric definition. Untitled moves, shimmering, organic, and even compassionate: Grotjahn here discards harsh angularity in favor of delicately implied perspective.