Hans Hofmann's Mixed Messages, a 1990 article by Wolf Kahn (1927-2020)

I posted this a few years ago on the occasion of Wolf Kahn's passing at 92 years of age. This article he wrote about Hans Hofmann for the October, 1990 Art in America really taught me something important. This article had a strong impact on me when I read it in Sam Francis's studio in Palo Alto, CA just weeks after leaving NYC in the fall of 1990. I had studied at the Parsons graduate painting program founded by Paul Resika, the second generation of the Hofmann School Wolf writes about. Two years later I studied with Wolf in New Mexico at the Santa Fe Institute of Fine Arts. Hope you enjoy the article. (If you click on the photos you'll get a high res image that is readable.) Wolf made wonderful contributions to the art world and to art history. He'll be sorely missed for his unique and inspired color. The great photos in this article are courtesy of one of Hofmann's other students, Albert Kresch.

Monaco Matin writes about the Mitchell Johnson Museum Retrospective at Villa Les Camilias in Cap d'Ail, France

 

Monaco Matin, May 14, 2024

La Villa Les Camélias va se parer le temps d'une exposition, des œuvres du peintre américain Mitchell Johnson du 17 mai au 29 septembre. Le musée intègre cette exposition dans le cadre des célébrations de son dixième anniversaire.

Une évolution à travers le monde

Reconnu à l'international, l'artiste de 60 ans a voyagé dans plusieurs pays pour s'inspirer en plus d'approfondir et complexifier son travail. Ses œuvres font partie de 30 collections permanentes de musées à travers la planète.

Originaire de New York, le peintre s'est tourné vers la Californie pour perfectionner ses techniques auprès d'un des pionniers de l'art non-figuratif, Sam Francis, et au sein de la Parsons School of Design.

C'est à l'occasion de ses voyages en Europe que Mitchell Johnson a le plus étoffé son style. Les paysages qu'il a découverts, de la Suède à l'Italie, en passant par la France notamment, l'ont inspiré pour forger sa personnalité artistique.

Meyreuil, un déclic artistique

Mais c'est une petite commune proche d'Aix-en-Provence, Meyreuil, qui retient l'attention du peintre en 1989, faisant évoluer son œuvre au fil de ses passages répétés. L'exposition emprunte d'ailleurs le nom de la ville : La révélation de Meyreuil.

Elle réunira 40 œuvres de Mitchell Johnson retraçant 35 ans de carrière. Celle d'un « post-moderniste », selon le critique d'art américain Donald Kuspit dans un article du magazine spécialisé Hyperallergic en janvier dernier.

Photo of Mitchell Johnson with Sam Francis paintings in Palo Alto, California November 1990

 

After finishing his MFA at Parsons School of Design in New York City, Mitchell Johnson moved to Palo Alto in October, 1990 to work for the famous artist, Sam Francis.

Sol LeWitt advised Mitchell to make the move.

There's an article about Mitchell following Sol's advice in the Nob Hill Gazette.

Two of Mitchell's paintings were included in the exhibit, Circle of Sam, at the Bakersfield Museum of Art May-September, 2023. You can see a video of the exhibit here.

Thanks to the Sam Francis Foundation for creating the exhibit and the invitation to participate.

Bonnie Gangelhoff article on Mitchell Johnson from Southwest Art Magazine Feb 2003

 AN ARTIST FOR ALL SEASONS

IN 1990 MITCHELL JOHNSON TRAVELED CROSS-COUNTRY FROM NEW York to California to begin working as a studio assistant for artist Sam Francis. Johnson had just received his master`s degree from New York`s Parsons School of Design and was keen on a West Coast adventure. "I didn`t really expect to stay in California, but the practical aspects of being able to paint outside all year really started to appeal to me," Johnson says from his home in Menlo Park.

In addition, the dramatic West Coast landscape engaged him in a way that the East Coast`s natural wonders had not, he says. The powerful shoreline, the rocky coast, and the soft hills leading down to the Pacific Ocean inspired and challenged his artistic eye. Today Johnson, 38, has become known for his colorful and panoramic renderings of the Golden State, including bucolic scenes not far from his home, such as the farms of fertile Central California and the vineyards that dot the picturesque Northern California wine country.

This month the Triton Museum in Santa Clara, CA, is honoring the painter with a oneman exhibition of his works as part of its continuing series, New Works by California Artists. The exhibit opened in January and runs through March 9. It features Johnson`s rural landscapes, which capture the light and atmosphere of the terrain in California as well as in Italy. The show also displays a sampling of Johnson`s figurative paintings, which are reminiscent of those of David Park [1911-- 1960], the well-known Bay Area painter.

Read complete article here: