John Adelman
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Arrangement 2
Still Life 3 •
2,417 Television Series Watched
Report
Branch I
Branch II
Branch III
Branch IV
Branch V
Branch VI
Hansard •
Plague
Plagiotropism
Plagiotropism III
Plagiotremata
Plagiotremata II
Plagiostome
Plagiostomatous
Plagionite
Plagionite II
Plagionite III
Handheld Series III
Handheld Series IV
Handheld Series V
Handheld Series VI
Handheld Series VII
Handheld Series VIII
Handheld Series XII
Handheld Series XIII
Joystick II (Head to Head)
Arrangement 2, 2025
gel ink pen on panel, 37 x 30 inches, $5000
Still Life 3, 2024
acrylic paint pen on canvas, 49 x 24 inches, sold
2,417 Television Series Watched, 2024
gel ink on canvas, 30 x 30 inches, $3000
Report, 2024
acrylic paint pen on canvas, 36 x 36 inches, $3600
Branch I, 2023
gel ink, acrylic spray paint on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650
Branch II, 2023
gel ink, acrylic spray paint on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650
Branch III, 2023
gel ink, acrylic spray paint on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650
Branch IV, 2023
gel ink, acrylic spray paint on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650
Branch V, 2023
gel ink, acrylic spray paint on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650
Branch VI, 2023
gel ink, acrylic spray paint on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650
Hansard, 2014
black gel ink on museum board, 18.5 x 32 inches unframed, sold
Plague, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650
Plagiotropism, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650
Plagiotropism III, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650
Plagiotremata, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650
Plagiotremata II, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650
Plagiostome, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650
Plagiostomatous, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650
Plagionite, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650
Plagionite II, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650
Plagionite III, 2023
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650
Handheld Series III, 2020
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650
Handheld Series IV, 2020
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650
Handheld Series V, 2020
ink on paper, 16x12 inches unframed, $650
Handheld Series VI, 2020
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650
Handheld Series VII, 2020
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650
Handheld Series VIII, 2020
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650
Handheld Series XII, 2020
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650
Handheld Series XIII, 2020
ink on paper, 16x12 inches unframed, $650
Joystick II (Head to Head)
ink on paper, 16x12 inches unframed, $650
About the artist...
Learn more about John Adelman and his practice in VoyageHouston, Bold Journey and this CanvasRebel article.
Read the 2018 Voyage Houston interview with Adelman here.
Take a virtual tour of Adelman's 2016 two-person show here.
John Adelman's body of work emphasizes that conceptual forethought and process are equals with the finished product. Each piece utilizes a single resource, such as a dictionary, pile of nails, Bird’s nest, or bundle of twigs, yet organizes these components through a set of predetermined formulaic systems. Every formula contains variables and inconstant formula components to belie the rigidness of the formula, as seen in formulas that employ an alphanumerical transposition, converting letters into numbers and using the numbers for various determinations, such as shape, size, color, or placement. Through these systematic operations, drawings take form, revealing an underlying order and structure amidst the chaos, happenstance, and unpredictability.
Mostly, gel ink pens are used as the writing/drawing implement. As a commonplace, utilitarian material not intrinsically associated with artistic practice, it is employed in conjunction with the source materials. These are repeatedly layered accumulations that ultimately produce visually rich, luxuriant surfaces and images transcending the functional starting points. The interaction between commonplace materials, systematic formulations, and manual rendering techniques thus cultivates aesthetically meaningful outcomes.
Visit artist's website - thejohnadelman.com