Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Ross Bleckner Biography
Ross Bleckner is an American artist whose work is deeply intertwined with themes of change, loss, and memory, often exploring the fragility of life and the human condition. Born on May 12, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York, Bleckner grew up in a Jewish family and was fortunate to have supportive parents who nurtured his early interest in art. In 1961, his family moved to Hewlett Harbor, New York, where he attended George W. Hewlett High School. It was after seeing the exhibition "The Responsive Eye" at the Museum of Modern Art in 1965 that Bleckner realized his calling to become an artist.
Bleckner pursued his passion for art through formal education, studying at New York University where he was influenced by fellow artists Sol LeWitt and Chuck Close. During his college years, he worked in an art supply store and drove a taxi to support himself. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1971 and went on to earn his Master of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts in 1973.
Upon returning to New York in 1974, Bleckner settled into a Tribeca loft, which became a hub for creative minds, including the painter Julian Schnabel. The Mudd Club, a famous nightclub frequented by musicians and artists, was also located in the same building until 1983. Bleckner's first solo exhibition took place in 1975 at the Cunningham Ward Gallery in New York, marking the beginning of his professional career as an artist.
Bleckner's art is known for its symbolic imagery and visual elusiveness, with forms that shift and change focus. His work often addresses the subject of AIDS, reflecting on the epidemic that deeply affected the community around him, especially as an openly gay artist. His paintings from this period, such as "Small Count" (1990), "8,122+ As of January 1986," and "Throbbing Heart" (1994), use abstract forms to represent elements of the disease, such as the destruction of white blood cells and the marks of Kaposi's sarcoma.
Throughout his career, Bleckner has shown a penchant for revisiting and reinterpreting motifs from his earlier works, creating distinct series that resonate with personal and collective experiences of grief and transcendence. His paintings are known for their contemplative and meditative qualities, often resembling passageways to another realm. The use of light and abstraction in his work invites viewers to engage in a deeper reflection on perception and the passage of time.
In 1995, Bleckner's contributions to the art world were recognized with a major retrospective at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, making him one of the youngest artists to receive such an honor. His works are held in prestigious collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, among others.
Bleckner has also been active in the literary field, publishing a book of his theoretical art statements titled "Examined Life: Writings, 1972-2007" in 2009. His writings provide insight into his philosophical approach to art and life, further cementing his role as a thinker and creator.
Ross Bleckner's art continues to be exhibited internationally, with recent shows at the Neues Museum in Germany and the Petzel Gallery in New York. His work remains a powerful testament to the human experience, capturing the beauty and tragedy of existence with a unique and poignant voice. Through his paintings, Bleckner invites us to contemplate the impermanence of life and the enduring power of art to express the inexpressible.
Ross Bleckner Quotes and Sales
of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
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