John Adelman

Worthy attention needs to be placed on this artist, John Adelman whose show Trace Evidence is currently on view at Holly Johnson and will run through August 20.

Adelman follows the tradition of rule-based art, with systems derived from mathematics, logic, personal, and/or consequential rules. So disciplined is this work that it could be mistaken as computer generated but don’t be fooled, this is where John Adelman’s brilliance lies.

His mark-making dominates the visual experience by repeating forms and motifs (the traced nail and the written word continue to be evident), combined with excruciatingly micromanaged detail. He also uses an arsenal of tools to add texture to many of the works background surfaces; yet in other works, the surfaces remain pristine. The compulsive and accumulative quality of much of this work makes it clear that they are labor intensive and precise, mirroring the methodologies of rule-based art.

As John’s work deals with language one may make reference to the 3000 BCE cuneiform script, or one may see a post-structural writer at work, deconstructing text. Finally as you step back the full rich image will come into view.

Adelman is fast becoming a rising star in the art world. Recently John Adelman has been featured in many noteworthy solo exhibitions such as: Drawings, Multlu Art Gallery in Istanbul, Turkey (2011); Bystander, Galerie Luzanky, Brno, Czech Republic (2010); The Word, Breckenridge Art Center, Breckenridge, Tx (2011); Barometer, University of Dallas, Dallas, Tx (2010); The Drawing Room, The Galveston Art Center, Galveston, Texas (2008) and the BIG Show and Drawing In Space, Lawndale Art Center, Houston, Texas (2008).