"Hybrid," 2024 Abstract Painting on Masonite by James Kennedy

"Hybrid," 2024 by artist James Kennedy, is masterful abstract mixed media painting on an incised masonite panel floating in a white shadowbox signed in the lower right corner. Scattered pieces of acetate painted over with acrylic washes on a masonite panel, subtly accentuates the architectural construction of this painting. The artist incorporates a sophisticated palette of primarily neutral shades of white, cream, pale , griege, tobacco, gray and slate blue. Touches of black, charcoal, deep taupe energize the surface resulting in a rich and striking bejeweled composition of intersecting planes of color. Tightly knitted surfaces rely on a buoyant tension of line, shape, texture and tonality. Reminiscent of shifting tectonic plates, Kennedy's overlapping forms and pathways channel energy into lyrical systems of tension and balance, form and space, tone and hue. The results are meticulously crafted architectural landscapes of tertiary colors exquisitely ordered and balanced while simultaneously possessing rhythmic and lyrical surfaces.

James Kennedy, was born in Northern Ireland and studied at the Royal Scottish Academy and Rhodec Academy of Design in London where he respectively received BA degrees in Arts and Interior and Architectural Design. He is the recipient of prestigious awards including the Golden Foundation for the Arts Residency, James Bridie Gold Medal awarded by RSA, Brooklyn Artist Gym for best in show Abstract Landscape and the Kiton Art Rising winner in 2010.

Selected exhibitions include Dolby Chadwick, San Francisco, Callan Contemporary, New Orleans, John Hartell Gallery, Cornell University, Mindy Solomon, Miami, MMFA, Palm Springs, Ann Loucks Gallery, Chicago, Brooklyn Artists Gym, NY, Surface Library Gallery, East Hampton, Galerie Werner, Pittsburgh, Amy Zook at The Gallery at 200 Lexington Avenue, NY, Arlev Art, Paris and the Royal Dublin Society,

The artist's work resides in the corporate and private collections of the British Museum, Corcoran Group, Saatchi +Saatchi, Kneedler-Fauchere, Barbra Barry, Citi Habitats, Sisti Collection, Vivaldi Partners, Dermacare, Mahinder Tak and Edward Albee, just to name a few.