John Beech

John Beech is a British-American artist born in Winchester, England, in 1964. He relocated to the United States at a young age and pursued his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986.

John Beech's Art Style

Beech's exploration of sculpture, painting, drawing, and photography revolves around the use of humble materials like rubber car floor mats, raw plywood, containers, and other overlooked objects. These materials are transformed into painted and textured assemblages that highlight shape and scale.

Beech is fascinated by "the object quality of things," allowing forms and materials to speak for themselves. Central to his practice is the deliberate selection of materials; everyday items such as dumpsters and patched subway platforms capture his attention, serving as the foundation for intricate artworks.

Another facet of Beech's artistic practice is his collection of over six hundred Found-Photo Drawings. He carefully selects secondhand photos based on their imagery or imperfections, modifying them to establish a connection between photographic content and added material. For Beech, a work reaches completion when the photograph and drawing merge into a cohesive new entity, liberated from its original historical context.

Exhibitions of John Beech's Works

John Beech has exhibited his art widely in solo and group exhibitions. Recent solo shows include "Vantage Overview" at Galerie Gisèle Linder in Basel (2023), "Coast to Coast. John Beech & David Simpson" at Charlotte Jackson Fine Art in Santa Fe (2023), "Kenchis" at Studio A03 in Tokyo (2020), "Under Way" at Anglim Gilbert Gallery in San Francisco (2018), "Silent Articles" at Daniel Marzona in Berlin (2017), and many more.

Additionally, Beech's works have been featured in numerous group shows held at various galleries and museums worldwide, including Charlotte Jackson Fine Art in Santa Fe, Anglim/Trimble Gallery in San Francisco, George Eastman Museum in Rochester, Galerie M+R Fricke in Berlin, Gallery Sofie Van de Velde in Antwerp, Anita Rogers Gallery in New York, Thomas Rehbein Galerie in Cologne. among other prestigious venues.