The World of
John John Jesse 1
The World of
John John Jesse A voracious autodidact, Jesse began his career by painting posters, flyers and record sleeves for punk rock bands at the age of 14. Born and raised in New York City’s Lower East Side, and the founding member of the influential punk band Nausea, Jesse defines punk rock as: “The world in which I entered as a teenager because I didn’t fit in anywhere, not at school, not with friends, and not with my family. Back in the 80’s we were all serious misfits who didn’t belong. We were angry, political, idealistic, drunk and proud. Basically punk rock music goes beyond the realms of just being a music scene. It’s my world and honestly it’s all I’ve known and where I fit in.” These words also mark John John’s career as a painter. Jesse embodies the New York City punk rock lifestyle and shares this through his paintings. His uniquely styled drawings laid the groundwork that transformed him into a painter. Later on his style evolved into a distinct artistic language, concentrating on obsessive details, combined with true-life images birthed from his experiences. Vivid colors build up in translucent layers of gouache, graphite, ink, spraypaint and acrylic, hand painted on wooden panels and framed in vintage baroque frames. While some may define his work as a combination of pop culture and surrealism enveloped by a dreamy atmosphere, Jesse’s themes are actually real memories and nostalgic blends of innocence, heartbreak, cultural connotation, rebelliousness and temptation. What we see in his works are not imaginary scenes but realities that have lived with the artist. In “The World of John John Jesse” we experience the roots and origins of his works. Comprised of twenty-five paintings, drawings, pictures and installation, this exhibition tracks the life story of this unique talent, an artist whose authenticity cannot be defined by any artistic style. A fastidious worker who invests an inordinate number of hours in his craft, Jesse shows us how addictive creativity can be when channeled through the right outlet and, for him, that outlet is art. Gilles Dyan Founder and Chairman Opera Gallery Group
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Eric Allouche Director Opera Gallery New York
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Sweet Tooth
Whiskey
Gouache, graphite, ink, acrylic, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 61 x 51 cm - 24 x 20 in.
Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 66 x 91,5 cm - 26 x 36 in.
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Space Oddity 6
Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 61 x 76 cm - 24 x 30 in.
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Heartbreakers
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Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel 84 x 33 cm - 33 x 13 in.
Jager Gouache, graphite, ink, acrylic, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 91,5 x 61 cm - 36 x 24 in.
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You Can’t Steal My Heart
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Gouache, graphite, ink, acrylic, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 61 x 91,5 cm - 24 x 36 in.
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100 Proof
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Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel 81,5 x 33 cm - 32 x 13 in.
The Outlaws
Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 51 x 61 cm - 20 x 24 in.
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Plush
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Gouache, graphite, ink, acrylic, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 91,5 x 61 cm - 36 x 24 in.
Vintage
Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 76 x 61 cm - 30 x 24 in.
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Twinkle and Snow
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Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 61 x 51 cm - 24 x 20 in.
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Super Villian
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Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 76 x 101,5 cm - 30 x 40 in.
80’s Family Portrait
Gouache, ink, graphite, spray paint and acrylic on board • 91,5 x 61 cm - 36 x 24 in.
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Defense Against False Friends 20
Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 61 x 51 cm - 24 x 20 in.
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Party in Paris
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Gouache, graphite, ink, acrylic, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 61 x 91,5 cm - 24 x 36 in.
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My Only Friends
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Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 51 x 61 cm - 20 x 24 in.
Patron Saint of Avenue A
Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 76 x 33 cm - 30 x 13 in.
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Queens of Heart
Pistol
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Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 51 x 61 cm - 20 x 24 in.
Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel 84 x 33 cm - 33 x 13 in.
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Gentrification
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Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 51 x 61 cm - 20 x 24 in.
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D.T.K
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Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 66 x 38 cm - 26 x 15 in.
Faces of Me
Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 61 x 51 cm - 24 x 20 in.
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Lead Me Into Temptation 32
Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 61 x 51 cm - 24 x 20 in.
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Tourniquet
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Graphite, ink, gouache, spraypaint and varnish on birch panel • 40,5 x 51 cm - 16 x 20 in.
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115 Spring Street • New York, NY10012 T. +1 (212) 966 6675 • nyc@operagallery.com 36
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