John-Michael Metelerkamp
"I believe that my job as an artist is to simplify the complexities of my life. Or at least my experience of it. The sense of overstimulation I feel and a propensity for chaos lingers around every corner of my psyche. That tension between chaos and order is a primary informer of the work I strive to make. Translating what I feel and see into a visual language is about focusing on something that I find interesting. And I may not be able to pin down the exactness of my curiosity; but I feel the need to challenge these thoughts and feelings and show myself what it looks like in a visual sense, with paint.
Experimentation is a huge part of my process. I try not to think until I am standing in front of the canvas, paintbrush in hand. Forcing thought opens up possibilities of a journey through the painting. Colours dictate colours and forms dictate forms.
George Condo said “Don’t step back until you think you have something to look at’’. I adopt this practice. I get close to the painting. I want to be in the painting." John-Michael Metelerkamp is now based in Cape Town, South Africa, where he recently relocated to from Knysna.
Select Exhibitions
2020
‘Notcurnes’, Solo, Deepest Darkest, Cape Town
‘A Subtle Skill’, Knysna Fine Art, Knysna, South Africa
‘A Winter Pallette’. Knysna Fine Art, Knysna, South Africa
’Nostalgia’, DAOR Contemporary, Cape Town, South Africa
‘March Group Show’, 131 A Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
2019
'Nekkies', Cape Town Art Fair, Berman Contemporary, Cape Town, South Africa
’Synchronos’, Knysna Fine Art, Knysna, South Africa
2018
'The Immortal Nekkies', Turbine Art Fair, Candice Berman Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
2017
'Keepers', Candice Berman Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
2016
That Art Fair, Cape Town, South Africa
2015
’JMM Pop-Up Show’, Knysna, South Africa
2014
'Untitled', Knysna Fine Art, Knysna, South Africa
Select Group Exhibitions
2018
'Allen and Overy War Child Charity Auction', Berman Contemporary, Johannesburg, South Africa
'Denis Goldberg Legacy Foundation Auction', S Art Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
2017
Turbine Art Fair, Candice Berman Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
2016
'In the garden', Gallery F (Luvey ‘n Rose), Cape Town,South Africa
'2.99', 99 Loop Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
'Metelerkamp, Meyer, Canadas', Candice Berman Fine Art Gallery, JHB, South Africa
'Transmutation', Knysna Fine Art, Knysna, South Africa
'1.99', 99 Loop Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
2015
'A|No Magazine Launch Show', Studio 7, Atlanta, USA
'Untitled', Luvey n Rose, Cape Town, South Africa
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