Jonathan Allmaier

As “the studio assistant for paintings,” Jonathan Allmaier allows his abstract paintings to make themselves. He finds no distinction between objects and concepts—just as his physical and mental state are inseparable—he lets the formal particulars of his canvas, hand-crushed pigment, and utensils to lead the way toward an idea. He classifies his paintings based on how extensively they can be physically described and the means taken to create them: some are descriptive, some are not rendered using a brush of any kind, some seek to reveal the canvas’ structure. Allmaier uses language to simultaneously expose the philosophical contentions he has with art-making and obscure any conceptual grounding. He works toward as little interference from his hand as possible, and allows his materials and to determine the ways in which his images might emerge.

Allmaier has exhibited at the Hort Collection, New York, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, Bell Gallery at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, and extensively throughout New York City.