"What viewers see or want to see in the end, what they are thinking or feeling, is pure speculation and fortunately an open process with many possibilities."
Join us for opening night on July 20th from 4 to 6pm, co-hosted by Tyler Brown Associates, at their property 1405 Priscilla Lane, NB. RSVP at <admin@tylerbrownre.com>
Kennedy Contemporary is thrilled to announce Impeccability of Surface: Southern California Perspectives, a solo exhibition featuring the evocative photographs of New York artist Jon Setter. The exhibition will run from July 17th to August 11th, showcasing a collection that delves into the emotional essence of home through concentrated image sections of everyday spaces in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Palm Springs. In January 2024, Setter immersed himself in the urban and coastal landscapes of Orange County, spending three intensive weeks meticulously documenting its urban spaces and cherished locales. His spontaneous yet discerning walks through local spots led him to capture architectural and urban monuments from unusual viewpoints, unveiling hidden details that often go unnoticed.
Setter’s work resides at the intersection of photography and painting, where his process of documenting urban environments is fundamentally photographic, yet the final results evoke a painterly quality. By organizing repeated colors, patterns, materials, and textures of the urban vernacular, Setter transforms visual chaos into abstracted, picturesque fragments. These images oscillate between photography and painting, touching the invisible and making it visible.
Through his lens, Setter seeks to emphasize memory and an emotional sense of home. His photographs evoke feelings of familiarity through forms, colors, and textures omnipresent in daily life. The stripped-down, orderly presentation of these everyday scenes invites viewers to see their surroundings in a new light, expanding their perception and understanding of the spaces they interact with most frequently.
What viewers see or feel when engaging with Setter's work is open to interpretation, allowing for a process rich with possibilities. His intention is to move beyond the purely photographic, encouraging collectors and viewers to appreciate these images as original works of art. Setter no longer sees himself as a pure photographer but rather as an artist who uses the lens as his brush and the urban terrain as his canvas.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, and currently residing in New York City, Jon Setter has exhibited internationally and continues to draw acclaim for his distinctive perspective and profound engagement with urban spaces.
Impeccability of Surface: Southern California Perspectives is a must-see exhibition for anyone interested in the intersection of art and architecture in Orange County. Join us at Kennedy Contemporary from July 17th to August 11th to experience the unique vision of Jon Setter and gain a fresh perspective on the familiar landscapes of our hometown.
