The Merging Sensibilities of Jonas Wood, David Hockney and Alex Katz

Jonas Wood 1977 – present

Jonas Wood and Shio Kusaka in their LA studio, 2019

At age 44, Jonas Wood has become one of the most recognized artists in America, Europe and Asia. His paintings and prints have set auction records.

Jonas Wood
Shelf Still Life, 2018
Lithograph and silkscreen
32 x 26 inches
Signed
For sale at Surovek Gallery

Wood says that he has been influenced by great contemporary artists like David Hockney and Alex Katz. “I’m obviously connected to the histories and traditions of painting – especially modernism and postmodernism – and I reference the painters of those traditions. Luc Tuymans, Peter Doig, David Hockney, Alex Katz, Lucian Freud – those guys are all postmodern painters who love modern painting. That’s the way I think about it. I’m part of the third or fourth generation of people post-Cubism who acknowledge that this is the canon they’re painting into.”

Jonas Wood
Untitled, 2014
Lithograph and screenprint in colors on 50 oz Coventry Rag paper
Sheet Size: 48 x 37 1/8 inches
Framed Size: 52 ½ x 41 ½ inches
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered ‘PPI’
(a unique color trial proof aside from numbered edition) Blind stamp of the publisher, Cirrus Editions, LA
For sale at Surovek Gallery

Wood is also influenced by the the interior and exterior landscapes that surround him and by the sculptural works of his artist wife, Shio Kusaka, with whom he shares a studio.

Jacket design by Jonas Wood in honor of Kobe Bryant, 2021

He has been commissioned by Dior and other fashion houses to create textile designs and, most recently has designed a jacket for the LA clothing street brand company, Advisory Board Crystals. The jacket is not for sale. In remembrance of Bryant’s philanthropic works, it will be given away to someone who performs a random act of kindness…and can prove it.

David Hockney 1937 – present

In 1977, the year that Jonas Wood was born, David Hockney had already become a superstar in both America and the UK.

David Hockney
Model with Unfinished Self-Portrait, 1977

Like Wood, Hockney paints his surroundings. He’s been living at his farmhouse in Normandy this year, sheltering in place and drawing the views both inside and outside his house.

David Hockney
My Shirt and Trousers, 2010
iPad drawing printed on paper
37 x 28 inches
Edition 8 of 25
Signed and dated lower right
For sale at Surovek Gallery

The bold colors of Hockney’s work and relatable subjects are part of what make his works so popular with collectors and the general public.

David Hockney
Early Morning, 2009
iPhone drawing printed on paper
37 x 25 1/2 inches
Edition 8 of 25
For sale at the Surovek Gallery

The 83-year-old artist has been open to new technologies throughout his career. He experimented with photographic lenses early in his career and has been painting on his iPad for years.

David Hockney currently has solo shows at The Morgan Library and Museum in New York through May 30, 2021 and the Galerie Lelong & Co in Paris through February 27, 2021.

Alex Katz 1927 – present

Alex Katz, 1977

In 1977, Alex Katz was 50 years old, and had mastered his style of clean lines and bold colors.

Alex Katz Times Square Mural, 1977

Katz’s influence on the works of Jonas Wood can be seen in both artists’ use of clean lines and bold colors.

Alex Katz
Purple Hat (Ada), 2017
Archival pigment inks
46 x 21 inches
Edition: 83/125
Signed: Alex Katz 83/125 (l.l.)
Available at Surovek Gallery

Even Katz’s sculptures have the quality of simple elegance that define all of his work.

Alex Katz
Sharon from Black Dress, 2017
Aluminum Sculpture, double sided
22.88 inches high
Edition: 10/35
Signed: Alex Katz For sale at Surovek Gallery

Alex Katz currently has solo exhibits at the Gladstone Gallery in New York, the Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac Pantin in Paris and in Vienna. He has upcoming solo shows scheduled at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid, the Museum Voorlinden in Wassenaar, Netherlands and the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

Please contact us if you would like more information about the work of Jonas Wood, David Hockney, Alex Katz or any of the other fine artists whose works are available at Surovek Gallery.