Seven Americans
22nd January – 27th April 2024
JC Gallery
14a Hay Hill
London
W1J 8NZ
JC Gallery has announced a new exhibition focusing on the ground-breaking artists that ignited the American Modernism movement with a selection of rarely-seen works on view from 22 January until 27 April 2024 in its Mayfair London space. Curated by James Ward, Founder of JC Gallery, James Ward Presents: Seven Americans will feature nine detailed and soulful artworks by Oscar Bluemner, Arthur B. Carles, Charles Demuth, Arthur Dove, John Marin and Joseph Stella, including a feature focusing on Alfred Stieglitz. The exhibition marks the first time the works have been shown together in Europe.
It was nearly 100 years ago that gallerist and photographer Alfred Stieglitz held his pioneering exhibition Seven Americans in his New York space. Heralding in a new era of American art, the exhibition showcased modernist styles, embracing the avant-garde artistic movements sweeping through Europe, such as Cubism, Futurism and Fauvism.
Celebrating this approaching centenary in 2025, JC Gallery pays homage to Stieglitz’s legacy, championing the work of artists and artworks this side of the Atlantic. James Ward Presents: Seven Americans is part of the gallery’s new direction in programming that aims to show a selection of rarely-seen works from this era including paintings and watercolours by a selection of American modernist visionaries.
The exhibition will show two works by Arthur Dove, often considered the first American artist to paint in the abstract style. Stieglitz promoted Dove’s work actively from the early 1920s until their deaths in the 1940s, the two forming a very close friendship. Landscape (image above) was a gift from Stieglitz to Dove’s daughter-in- law Aline and the inscription on the reverse of the painting touchingly reads, “For Aline Dove, Life meets life at An American Place, March 2 – 1943”.
JC Gallery is positioned as Europe’s leading specialist in American Modernism, expertly showing works by artists that were critical in defining this era.
James Ward, Director and Founder, JC Gallery, commented, “The period of 20th Century American modernism is grossly underrepresented in the UK. We are thrilled to be able to offer these artists a platform to be shown this side of the Atlantic. Many institutions in the States consistently re-evaluate the importance of these artists in, not just American, but global art history.
The more I research this period and understand the minds behind these artworks, the more I get hooked – it becomes an obsession of understanding these highly collectable artists.” JC Gallery will also host a series of talks by leading experts in American Modernism in conversation with James Ward. More information to follow.
Seven Americans opens on the 22nd of January until the 27th of April 2024 at JC Gallery
©2024 JC Gallery
Art Plugged is a contemporary platform inspired by a relationship with the broader arts communities. We provide our audience with curated insight into the world of art, from exhibitions to artist interviews and more.
