JOHNNY ABRAHAMS

Abrahams’ practice is deeply rooted in a fascination with science, particularly the creation of elements. This exploration into the origins of matter and the assembly and perception of the material world profoundly informs his work. Referring to the fact that light is produced during the birth of matter, Abrahams states, “The creation of matter generates the light that allows us to perceive that matter is something that I see as being very poetic and provides me with a source of great inspiration for my work. I’ve always seen the forms in my paintings and the relationships between them as metaphors for that moment of material creation.”

This exhibition features a new series of diptych paintings, 24 Colors for Junichi dedicated to his late friend Junichi. The title references Imi Knoebel’s 24 Colors - for Blinky, created after the untimely death of German painter Blinky Palermo. The initial sketches for these works were drawn during his time spent by his friend’s side in a hospital in Japan. Through this work, Abrahams attempts to represent time as inspired by Aristotle’s concept of time—the vast past behind us and the infinite future ahead, separated by the present moment— by questioning the length of that fleeting moment which divides past from future. Each piece in the series is composed of two panels with different colors, separated by a tiny void. For Abrahams, this void is a crucial component that symbolizes the present moment as a horizon of time. The layering of colors is also significant, with the underpainting beneath the surface suggesting the hidden potential within every moment.

Accompanying the works from his newest series are works from Abrahams’ Sympatheia and Stack Paintings. Sympatheia extracts its name from the philosophical concept of interconnectedness and mutual dependence, where nothing exists in isolation. The paintings draw inspiration from nuclear fusion processes within suns, where atoms merge to form new elements, releasing energy as light. In his Stack Paintings, Abrahams arranges multiple square canvases into a unified monolithic structure. Each component carries its own narrative, shaped by the nuanced interplay between underpainting and colors, often deliberately chosen to be non-complementary. This stacking technique imbues the artworks with heightened vitality, transforming them into vibrant, living forces. Across his different series, Abrahams is in constant search of a delicate balance between stability and tension, aiming to evoke engagement through dynamic contrasts.

For Abrahams, Japan holds a special significance as many ideas for this exhibition originated here. He admires Japan’s meticulous attention to detail, which he believes gives the country its unique sense of dignity. We invite you to immerse yourself in Johnny Abrahams’ contemplative practice, capturing the serene flicker and flow inherent in our universe.

text by Haruna Takeda

Press Release: Courtesy of MAKI (text by Haruna Takeda)