George Condo Paintings & Works on Paper at SKARSTEDT

James Kalm unadvisedly pedaled to the Upper East Side on a gridlock alert day, to record some video of George Condo Paintings and Drawings at Skarstedt. Having been introduced to George in the early 1980s, your correspondent has kept an eye on the developments of this painter’s practice ever since. A survey of recent works, this show has some mammoth paintings of “heads” as well as a pair of galleries of drawings and works on paper which presents Condo as a draftsmen’s draftsman. A selection of over video reports and an review of George’s work in relations to KITSCH are posted below. This program was recorded November 15, 2019.
George Condo Mental States at the NEW MUSEUM
• George Condo Mental St...
George Condo Paintings the Last Ten Years, at NICHOLAS ROBIN
• George Condo Paintings...
Existential Portraits by James Kalm
Luhring Augustine May 5-June 3, 2006
Brooklyn Rail
brooklynrail.org/2006/06/arts...

[@audreywoodward]

LOVE Mr Condo. Ive never seen one in reality so its just magnificent to be able to see close ups from over here in Wiltshire, UK.

[@patrickgregg8454]

Thank you James & Kate, so glad you covered this show, salutations from New Zealand 🌲

[@michaelroberts8300]

Greetings from Brixton, London. Thank you James for another cracking video. We’ve just been in Paris and had a visit to the Picasso Museum there. Whilst Condo leans heavily on him he’s got his own mixed up style and is a superb fearless draughtsman. Always love seeing his work.

[@mayormc]

I was never a particular Condo fan, but I found myself really pulled in to this exhibit and find this work very interesting. Mr Kalm's stellar presentation is always a big plus, as usual. This will be on my re-watch list for sure.

[@ziraprod6090]

It is the ones that are just color with a drawing over them that are shiit. ie: 8:03 on the left, Drawings at 8:45

[@chezceleste]

Thank you Kate...another great video to savour. Much appreciated.

[@mrbr0wn215]

Thank you ! Appreciate it as always !!!

[@robinjones3136]

This was an absolutely incredible show! EXCELLENT! G.Condo is so talented! Thanks Kate!

[@jayherres486]

Thank you James and Kate. Like the way he plays with the paint and like his drawings the best. I see so many influences. I love to see works where influences are almost impossible to find. Thank you so much for showing this, off to learn more about him.

[@tomliii8619]

Thanks for being there for us.

[@salvadorblancocasalins6526]

Thank you James for bring us tons of art to the people of the rest of the world, greetings from Colombia

[@michaelroberts8300]

Thank you for another cracking in depth video. That gallery just keeps on giving. Cheers from Brixton, London

[@deboramccallum3987]

Never heard of him until one of his pieces came up on AR in Tucson I reaaly enjoy finding out about art. These videos are priceless.

[@jameskalm]

Thanks...JK

[@Billart]

Super meandering video coverage & great commentary. Very helpful. Much more solid & engaging than any of his work I've ever seen in the past over decades. His new link up to cubism roots with the liberated multimpainting techniques has finally raised his bar.

[@og1kanobi40]

Thank you Kate!!!! ... George is a treasure to behold!

[@ezequiellopez9516]

Thanks James! If it wasn't for you I couldn't see all this exhibitions

[@jennyhughes4474]

Yes, me too, thanks James & Kate!

[@chantalrochon3566]

Thank you for this interesting and captivating narration 🎉❤😊

[@alanwilliamson2740]

Thank you, Kate... and George.... and Loren.

[@relicman]

Thank you for turning me onto another amazing artist.

[@pollyjeanmartin2150]

Great stuff. Thanks Kate!

[@BooksxRonin]

Condo has strengthened my connection with art, breaking barriers and creating portraits that have a huge impact on my outlook. I've also been searching for the correct verbiage of his oil pencils "pigment sticks" and this video provided the needed details. Thanks! Wish I could get to the point in life where I could have a Condo on my wall.

[@lawrencemiller1923]

Thank you James. Best-

[@reynru]

Awesome as per usual! Thanks Kate!

[@paulinehughes5325]

As always good to hear you James,, your breathy descriptions always excite interest *

[@35metod]

Thank you, that show close to canvas, I even from Russia was able see small details works) Think, this for many it is important, too. Article about kitsch is very interesting.

[@williama.hovestreydt6623]

Thank you Kate! Thank you James!

[@jameslainchbury6746]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!!!!

[@mikelove9832]

Thank You Kate ! Straight Ahead

[@mylovelycatbetty]

great show. i love his mixed media drawings.

[@DOCLASHOE]

Thank you, Kate!

[@tomliii8619]

Condo's automatic drawings deserve a look if you ever get a chance.

[@khm2917]

Thank you James & kate. I loved the black paintings, I felt it’s a new style shift for him.👏 By the way a pigment stick is the same as oil stick & you can see George painting with them on Louisiana youtube channel.

[@EduardoTerranova]

Hi James, really a wonderful super close-up on Condo's works. Thank you for filming this and for creating such intimate, no BS, heartfelt and honest review. Best regards! eduardo Terranova

[@williama.hovestreydt6623]

Just watched again one year later! Love it!

[@JadenJahci]

I like this art collaboration by Picasso and Condo. I had no idea they knew each other. (ThxK8) Kind Regards, Andy Michel Basquihol's Pair Of Boxing Gloves

[@jhb61249]

Thank you Kate.

[@jamieshotter8743]

Love love love one of my favourite artists

[@dustyeyer3710]

Thank you Sir!

[@karimmendas8980]

Thank you 👍👍

[@houston1293]

Thank you for taking me places I can’t go

[@HiiiD33my]

Thank you

[@davidbertrand895]

Two of Condo's paintings are shown in the current (December) issue of Architectural Digest, pages 68 and 71.

[@wakai1970]

very grate job!

[@lawrencetarpey373]

Ralph Steadman splatter/drafting influence here as well? Super prolific dude.

[@35metod]

Condo's main works here are recognizable and expected and cite his same elements of early works. Most of all I was attracted to the black series, I think it's a step in a new direction and variety.

[@loriwakefield1]

thank you

[@tdgtwo850]

Kanye and MBDTF introduced me to George Condo and his artworks. I always find it great and uncanny at the same time, his works look like it came straight from an analog horror video or somethin

[@msolbakken]

I like that Condo depicts characters in both their weirdness and humanity.

[@cansoncanson3453]

Me gusto la de condorito

[@bryandibucci583]

James, keep up w/the art. I like Damien Hirst spin paintings. Bless you.,,😛😂

[@fastfoodart5552]

love george condo....best great maestro in contemporary art...art now...

[@kimwilkie9819]

thank you Kate

[@singlespies]

Thanks James, for the video as always. I'll be interested to read other's comments on this show. My own feelings are mixed. There's a lot to admire in his technique, the look of the paintings, the ambitiousness of them. Still, I have this nagging, grouchy reaction to the Picasso imitations. And now, with the black paintings, it looks like he's doing a Francis Bacon thing. He's very good at it but still... Kind of seems like a pastiche of other artist's styles. He's talented enough to develop his own style; maybe he will one day.

[@ihatelogic]

The problem is, anything that can be done on canvas, has been done in the 20th century. Maybe I'm wrong, but I've yet to see anything new and original by the 21st century artists.

[@jameskalm]

@@ihatelogic It's not a question of "anything that can be done on canvas, has been done in the 20th century." It's a question of whether you have "original imagination" or you don't have "original imagination"...

[@ElectricPid]

To me George Condo is best at his most abstract. The marks and form is where he shines. His portraits with stuck on cartoon features always struck me as corny parody. I like this exploded Picasso vibe, along with the cleverly muddled drafts, and paired down geometric exercises. No disrespect to the man.

[@gavinyates9189]

Thank you cake, thank you everybody. Reminds me of Picasso big time.

[@Dylan-zv1cf]

most fire vid ever

[@helenarose580]

I love his work wer

[@earinsound]

Very cool-a Picabia Picasso vibe with the portraits. The others are so left field and unexpected

[@samsing2300]

Anyone know if his work is currently showing in NYC anywhere? Not quite sure how to research that. Really hoping to see it in person! Thanks!

[@jameskalm]

Hey @samsing2300 I think this show might stll be up for a couple of days (as of March 1, 2021). You can always contact the gallery...

[@JOSEPHCHARLESCOLIN2024]

Coolz & Good Job

[@gregorylent]

has his schtick and runs with it, and that's the art world

[@Krishna-nb9mq]

wish he'd paint more like he draws.

[@henrybogle8437]

Though these are much closer aligned than previous shows I can recall.

[@ziraprod6090]

True....but these were closer...like Henry said.

[@robsmith588]

I like the drawings better than the paintings. It´s funny you mentioning Mad magazine. I thought it was just me who saw that connection.

[@kuikai100]

good painting a+++++

[@scrapart2492]

You can mix oil acrylic and water paints?

[@jameskalm]

Basically, you can mix oil and acrylic/water based paints if you layer them. That is, use the acrylic let it dry, then paint over it with oil, not the other way around...JK

[@henrybogle8437]

Strong show, I'm a fan once again. He got lost in the naughts with his pomo 'bad painting' schtick, produced some real dreck like the Queen series. Concentrating on marks rather than impasto the key imo.

[@theamericanvan9960]

Do you know why Bag Pipers are always walking when they play? It's because they are trying to get away from the sound.

[@iangillham9647]

I don’t see why ( even if it is true) one can not mine the work of Picasso and Basquiat, there is so MUCH there! Basquiat never got much chance to really work through his stuff and Picasso got bored so easily...

[@herudnoldan6593]

I understand why Many commentors dont get condos style , or why he is one of the most famous contemporary painters , comparing him with picasso just because he does the cubist kind of elements its ridiculous , and o understand why maybe the dislike , i Also was not a big fan at first , but condo has such a great modern / traditional style , he is truly a modern master , even if you dont like it he has such a rich language , as it remiends you to anyone you couldnt miss a condo piece when you see it.

[@romanovrex]

thenk jiu Kejt!

[@euartista]

I'm sorry, love the art, love the video you produce, but are you speaking parseltongue?

[@shoichleach74callum7]

Picasso on steroids...

[@davidmayhew8083]

What do you mean by "graphic"?

[@jameskalm]

I'm referring to its linearity, its drawing, its black and whiteness. Here's the definition from google " relating to visual art, especially involving drawing, engraving, or lettering."

[@ziraprod6090]

jeeze - his work looks so much like mine - - in a way.

[@mrpartyfoul]

Condo is a Boss

[@Joakimheid]

James Kalm talks like Snake Plisken!

[@othellojonez]

Too bad there isn't a catalog for this particular exhibition.

[@theohaegele9011]

bagpipes in a basketball court... i❤ny

[@jameskalm]

And that's the Manhattan Bridge and BQE in the background...

[@giovannimercaldi9886]

Extraordinary .... an oxygen charge

[@markdeslauriers5665]

I would like this much better if the camera pans were slowed down and less shaky. It little too Blair Witch Project.

[@tonsfocus]

Condo should team up with Mr. Brainwash. Imagine the merch potential...

[@cogent7193]

you know this guy could do a trump impression really well

[@danielstermole1234]

That's why Page sounds like Page. Immediately identifiable . Jeff Beck, early Clapton, Santana, Dickie Betts ...

[@anawieder5003]

Love the 2 face paintings, don’t like fashion model at all, love most of the drawings though I’m not sure why some of them are even called drawings

[@3589546]

Black and white ones knockout

[@mohammadtawfiqlifestylelim7051]

Like Picasso

[@scrapart2492]

Nothing to do with this nice video or me condo. They don't know this but a ex famous or has been person can never go broke If they paint.....it will sell.

[@rubensanchez1388]

They say, We as Artists reflect and are influenced with each other, As I can see Picasso , All over Condo's art works, He tries to be Original, But it just shows that it's hard To be Original in New York, When Everyone else was there before Us! Still like Condo's work, He is trying.....

[@MikeWitmerNatureJournal]

He is really a master at what he does. Unfortunately cubism today has a very retro look as does all of his work. His colors and surfaces come across as aged or weathered adding to that antique feel. Riffing on "schlock" art seems to be another of his themes. I'm just not finding much to like about this work.

[@ziraprod6090]

No cubism here.

[@Aetila]

I like Picasso and Basquiat...but not this, lol. Great video though, showing me a painter who I really don't like. But...his color sets are not bad, i could watch the colors only, lol.

[@johnlawson7306]

Bye Buy Con Dough....with a side order of Bacon!

[@MichaelFlynn0]

Extremely repetitive image-maker.

[@anthonyogrady1081]

too Picasso like for my taste,

[@DriesMark]

Contemporary art these days thanks to the market influencing the art world is nothing more than contemporary replicas antiques.. like Picasso well, we have something for that... whatever happened to the critic caring about art, everyone sold out I guess.

[@georgesears923]

This guy is vastly overrated. All he's done, is take the work of Picasso and Basquiat, and made pastiches of it. Most of the characters in his paintings are based on Basquiat's drawings, only painted in a more three-dimensional manner and vastly less compelling. There's no personal imagination in his work, no urgency, no gravitas. This is market Art.

[@raoulsamuelkray7628]

So true.

[@MichaelFlynn0]

agreed.

[@donDonau]

Cliché.

[@konstantinospapaioannou2588]

Adopting a cubist style is definitely not forbidden. However, it indicates lack of personal vision and for sure lack of identity and unique signature. When a work of art reminds the viewer of "something else", then it is a work of art that will only accumulate dust with time and not that gold patina that comes to the true masterpieces. The black series is way better.

[@JOSEPHCHARLESCOLIN2024]

Agreed

[@MrSkippy216]

Why does it indicate a lack of identity and unique signature? Genuinely curious

[@papersack4290]

Thanks for video, but all his work is lifeless and flat.

[@manuels8138]

Paper Sack who would you say does the opposite?

[@papersack4290]

@@manuels8138 Dunno, but this dude has been a one trick pony for 30 years.

[@13madvillain]

I don't get how people can stand in front of a piece and have someone else take a picture of them. Wack.

[@cerpajm1]

a simple imitator of Picasso, not a fan!

[@johnnytony593]

A mix of Don Martin of Mad magazine and boilerplate cubism.The black paintings are a poor parody of Bacon. Trying really hard at being Repetitive, lacking imagination and skill.

[@perditachavez]

it's almost as bad as regular street art. damm i dislike his art so much i can't even find words to describe the uselessness of his work . there's a great sense of humor in it though - happy for his success

[@ronthemogul]

Why are you here lol

[@perditachavez]

@@ronthemogul because i'm into art so much - i got to check anything i can about it haha