Fabien Castanier Gallery is excited to present a solo exhibition for contemporary artist JonOne. This will be the sixth dedicated show for the artist, a monumental and significant exploration of his global legacy. New paintings and installation capture the essence of an artist whose work has influenced a generation of image-makers and who continues to push boundaries with his creative vision.

Accompanying his new works on canvas, JonOne will complete a large-scale mural on the exterior of the Fabien Castanier Gallery space. Spanning 124 ft. (39m), the mural is an extension of the exhibition – a reminder of the foundation of his oeuvre and the roots of his storied evolution. From graffiti to gallery, JonOne exudes the grand journey of the contemporary urban artist. Forging his own path, his collection of newest pieces brings forth an energy that reflects his identity not only as a painter but as an individual in an ever-changing world.

JonOne’s work is a lens into a complex and vibrant world. He presents emotions through movement and color that act as a catalyst for self-reflection. An innovative dissection of composition and gesture is displayed within his abstract expressionism, and with relative ease the artist can conjure moments of joy and sorrow within a simple frenetic brush stroke. His command of color is triumphant yet subtle, as he plays with alternative palettes and bright shifts in pigment that appear exciting and harmonious to the eye. His work, as always, is approachable by definition – never pretentious or exclusionary. Paintings that are universal and enduring preside as they inspire creativity and expression within us all.

The artist’s story begins in Harlem, New York City. Born in 1963 to parents of Dominican descent, John began his artistic pursuits as a graffiti writer from a very young age. A complicated and defining moment for many youths in the 1980s, graffiti colored the urban environment, literally and figuratively. The landscape was forever changed, as street cars and subways displayed the vivid colors of those seeking an outlet for self-expression. The blurred images and graffiti tags that sped by on fast-moving trains greatly inspired JonOne’s future work. When he transplanted to Paris, France in 1987, he discovered a new home for his creativity. Remaining in Paris, where he currently lives and works, JonOne has cemented his role as a leading voice for a generation of contemporary artists.

JonOne has worked on a number of collaborations and projects in recent years, lending original designs of his style to notable companies, such as Perrier, Air France, Lacoste, Guerlain, Hennessy, and LG. He has also exhibited at several important galleries and institutions, including the Fondation Cartier for Contemporary Art and the Grand Palais in Paris. In 2015, he was given the Legion of Honor from France, celebrating the achievement with a painting “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” which was unveiled at the Palais Bourbon, the seat of the French National Assembly.