Bio
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Photo: MyFinbec
John Wentz is a contemporary artist whose work is an exploration of process and technique. Working within the classical idiom of the human figure, his goal is to reduce and simplify the image to its core fundamentals: composition, color, and mark-making. Paint application and brush strokes are broad and simplified as a means to connect and convey these ideas to the viewer with an abstract sensibility.
John was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. His interest in art began at the age of 6 when he first discovered Batman and Spiderman comic books. After years of copying comics panel by panel, he worked in the commercial arts as a muralist, billboard creator, and freelance illustrator. After learning to paint by doing airbrushed billboards, he decided to pursue Fine Art and work in oils. Since then, he has had 5 solo exhibitions in San Francisco and numerous group exhibitions both nationally and internationally. His works have appeared in many publications and have won multiple awards.
Curriculum Vitae
Solo Exhibitions
2021
Stolen Space Gallery, London
Liminal Spaces
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2020
Urban Art Fair w/ myFINBEC, Paris, France
VR-NISSAGE
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2019
Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
The Death of Distance
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2017
Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
Navigation Unknown
2015
Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
Imprints
2014
111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Passages
2013
Modern Eden Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Spectra
2012
111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Synthesis
2009
D-Structure, San Francisco, CA
Adaptive Radiation
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023
Harman Projects, New York
Figuratively Speaking
Galerie GT, Bayonne, France
In Dreams
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2022
Harman Projects, New York
San Francisco Art Fair
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2021
Hashimoto Contemporary, New York
Multiples
Stolen Space Gallery, London
Fragments
art Karlsruhe, Germany
Selections
Zhejiang Art Museum, China
Pad Dimension
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2020
Fraunberg Ateliers, Munich, Germany
4
Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
Lately
Galerie Joël Knafo, Paris, France
Polyphonissima
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2019
Thinkspace Projects, Culver City, CA
Re-Beginning
Kunsthuizen Gallery, Leiden, Netherlands
Project 1606
Pretty Portal Gallery, Dusseldorf, Germany
Dancing with Myself (Two Person Show)
Stanek Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Disrupted Realism
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2018
Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
Moniker Art Fair, London
Abend Gallery, Denver, CO
Bodies5
Mesa Arts Center, Phoenix, AZ
We The People
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2017
Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
Moleskine Project VI
Abend Gallery, Denver, CO
Neon
Vertical Gallery, Chicago, Ill
Portrait
Alto Gallery, Denver, CO
Showed Up
2016
Arcadia Contemporary, Los Angeles, CA
Drawn to Greatness
Made in California
Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
Moleskine Project V
Spoke Art, New York, NY
Wes Anderson Tribute
Abend Gallery, Denver, Co
Mini Show
Edge of Realism
2015
Arcadia Contemporary, New York, NY
Works on Paper
Five & Under
Mike Wright Gallery, Denver, CO
As One
Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
Moleskine Project IV
Corey Helford Gallery, Culver City, CA
Freaks & Americana
Good Mother Gallery, Oakland, CA
Tired Hands
Murals
2024
Juquila, Oaxaca, Mexico
Juquila Street Art Festival
Cuicatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico
Cuicatlan Mural Festival
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2022
Santa Rosa, CA
The Mural Project
Boulogne, France
Boulogne Sur Mer Street Art Festival
Isturitz, France
Artist Residency
Bayonne, France
Points De Vue Street Art Festival
2019
Martinique
IPAF Festival
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2018
Paris, France
Le Mur Douzieme
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Publications
2019 Graffiti Art Magazine 'Urban Contemporary Art Guide'
2019 The South African Artist Magazine
2019 Graffiti Art Magazine
2019 American Art Collector Magazine
2018 Juxtapoz Magazine
2017 Juxtapoz Magazine
2015 Artist's on Art
2011 La Gazette Cournot, France
2008 Clone Magazine, Spain
2007 International Artist Magazine
2007 American Art Collector Magazine
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Collaborations
2020 Procreate: Release of Procreate version 5
2020 Casio/Graffiti Art Magazine: Casio G-Shock Ad
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Artist in Residence
2019 Arthouse Holland/Project 1606
Leiden, The Netherlands
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Education
2006
BFA, Painting; Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
-with distinction
Professional Experience
2006-2012
Instructor in Fine Arts, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA (Drawing, Painting, Anatomy, Composition, and Color Theory)