Joseph Egan / Local Color

November 23, 2017 to February 10, 2018

It is the artist who decides how much importance he wishes to assign to an exhibition, and especially to his current exhibition.

For Joseph Egan, every exhibition is a significant occurrence. And therefore the preparation and the installation, or more precisely the composition of the exhibition is its own creative process. The exhibition proves to be an opportunity to make more and other things visible than what becomes readily apparent when contemplating the individual work. Call it context or continuity – in any case the exhibition conveys an experience to the viewer that is henceforth enduringly associated with each work.

Of course, the completeness of the individual work should neither be devalued nor called into question, for Joseph Egan does not work in series that bind the individual work into a whole and contribute to an understanding of the individual work. He is equally uninterested in the development of a style that suggests a unity. Rather the exhibition creates dialogs and connections of an aesthetic and spatial nature and it is an important characteristic of our stream of perception that all objects, including those from everyday life, are integrated in a greater sphere, serving to outfit and enrich our imagination.

Joseph Egan likes giving names to individual works and groups of works. For many years, these important manifestations have been further accompanied by exhibition titles. The evocative word creations or word constellations can be understood in a sense as an approximation, as an insinuation of meaning that gets variously embodied in the sensually tangible object. It is without question that verbal images evoke an atmosphere occupying a coherently formed place in the memory of what has been seen:
A Place to Paint Further – Wander Way – Some Sing – Paint to Colour – Rain on the roof – Voices – across the board – Colorcomb and now Local Color.

The fine linguistic combinations can be compared to a melodious book title, the title of a volume of stories, or better still of poems. In any case, it is often the case that the things the poet undertakes and brings about with language are accomplished by the painter with his own means. For Joseph Egan, color is the source of inspiration and associations, and it contains a strong connection to visible reality. Using color as a raw material achieves a linking of ideas and projects, becoming exemplified in the pictorial objects. In the works on paper and the canvasses, the application of color transforms the picture support into a deep and dense surface.

Color can be understood on one hand as an idea, as a precise definition of hues and color values. This would be a conceptual separation and isolation, as it were, far from the everyday presence of color in the world around us. Yet the latter, this everyday presence, the everyday use of color is precisely what concerns Joseph Egan.

Herein lies the key to ‘Local Color’, the exhibition of Joseph Egan that is presented with this gallery note. Moods, places, images are a stimulus and motivation for his creative energy.

‘What makes an object beautiful is the fact that these relations are themselves related in turn, giving them a greater density.’ This formulation by Claude Lévi-Strauss provides a fitting conclusion to our remarks.

Installation views

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view room 4

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view office room

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view office room

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view office room

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view office room

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view office room

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view room 1

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view room 1

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view room 1

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view room 2

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view room 2

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view room 2

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view room 3

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view room 3

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view room 3

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view room 4

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view room 4

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view room 4

Joseph Egan / Local Color

Installation view

Works

Joseph Egan / out of the blue 2016 35 x 28 x 2.5 cm oil paint on canvasboard with framing

out of the blue
2016
35 x 28 x 2.5 cm
oil paint on canvasboard with framing

Joseph Egan / Bouquet (Nr.1)2014 48.5 x 39 x 3 cmpaper: 30 x 21 cmoil paints on paper with framing

Bouquet (Nr.1)
2014 
48.5 x 39 x 3 cm
paper: 30 x 21 cm
oil paints on paper with framing

Joseph Egan / inner space Nr. 1 2017 35 x 29 x 2.5 cm oil paint on paper with framing

inner space Nr. 1
2017
35 x 29 x 2.5 cm
oil paint on paper with framing

Joseph Egan / inner space Nr. 3 2017 35 x 29 x 2.5 cm oil paint on paper with framing

inner space Nr. 3
2017
35 x 29 x 2.5 cm
oil paint on paper with framing

Joseph Egan / inner space Nr. 2 2017 35 x 29 x 2.5 cm oil paint on paper with framing

inner space Nr. 2
2017
35 x 29 x 2.5 cm
oil paint on paper with framing

Joseph Egan / Egyptian Quartet (in 4 parts)200230 x 100 x 3 cmvarious paints, sand and stones on wood

Egyptian Quartet (in 4 parts)
2002
30 x 100 x 3 cm
various paints, sand and stones on wood

Joseph Egan / in wine (Nr. 4) 2013 30 x 21 cm oil paint on paper

in wine (Nr. 4)
2013
30 x 21 cm
oil paint on paper

Joseph Egan / in wine (Nr. 6) 2013 30 x 21 cm oil paint on paper

in wine (Nr. 6)
2013
30 x 21 cm
oil paint on paper

Joseph Egan / in wine (Nr. 5) 2013 30 x 21 cm oil paint on paper

in wine (Nr. 5)
2013
30 x 21 cm
oil paint on paper

Joseph Egan / in wine (Nr. 8) 2013 30 x 21 cm oil paint on paper

in wine (Nr. 8)
2013
30 x 21 cm
oil paint on paper

Joseph Egan / in wine (Nr. 7) 2013 30 x 21 cm oil paint on paper

in wine (Nr. 7)
2013
30 x 21 cm
oil paint on paper

Joseph Egan / in wine (Nr. 10)2013 30 x 21 cmoil paint on paper

in wine (Nr. 10)
2013 
30 x 21 cm
oil paint on paper

Joseph Egan / in wine (Nr. 11)2013 30 x 21 cmoil paint on paper

in wine (Nr. 11)
2013 
30 x 21 cm
oil paint on paper

Joseph Egan / Local Color (on Hydra) Nr. 1 2014 48.5 x 38 x 3 cm various paints on paper with framing

Local Color (on Hydra) Nr. 1
2014
48.5 x 38 x 3 cm
various paints on paper with framing

Joseph Egan / Local Color (on Hydra) Nr. 2 2014 48.5 x 38 x 3 cm various paints on paper with framing

Local Color (on Hydra) Nr. 2
2014
48.5 x 38 x 3 cm
various paints on paper with framing

Joseph Egan / inner space (Nr.2)2013 48.5 x 39 x 3 cmpaper: 30 x 21 cmoil paints on paper with framing

inner space (Nr.2)
2013 
48.5 x 39 x 3 cm
paper: 30 x 21 cm
oil paints on paper with framing

Joseph Egan / all on board2015 22 x 39.5 x 2.5 cmoil paints on wood

all on board
2015 
22 x 39.5 x 2.5 cm
oil paints on wood

Joseph Egan / Voices Nr. 10 2008 each: 37 x 6 x 1.5 cm various paints and sand on wood (23 parts)

Voices Nr. 10
2008
each: 37 x 6 x 1.5 cm
various paints and sand on wood (23 parts)

Joseph Egan / Voices Nr. 10 2008 each: 37 x 6 x 1.5 cm various paints and sand on wood (23 parts)

Voices Nr. 10
2008
each: 37 x 6 x 1.5 cm
various paints and sand on wood (23 parts)

Joseph Egan / Trio 2017 60 x 33 x 6.5 cm painted wood and painted panel

Trio
2017
60 x 33 x 6.5 cm
painted wood and painted panel

Joseph Egan / heart to heart 2017 49 x 37.5 x 5 cm painted wood and painted panel

heart to heart
2017
49 x 37.5 x 5 cm
painted wood and painted panel

Joseph Egan / Skylight 2017 60 x 30 x 5 cm painted wood and painted panel

Skylight
2017
60 x 30 x 5 cm
painted wood and painted panel

Joseph Egan / true blue2012 50 x 28 x 6 cmvarious paints on wood

true blue
2012 
50 x 28 x 6 cm
various paints on wood

Joseph Egan / echo 2017 30 x 20 x 3 cm various paints, sand and stones on wood

echo
2017
30 x 20 x 3 cm
various paints, sand and stones on wood

Joseph Egan / paean 2017 39.5 x 23.5 x 2.5 cm various paints on wood

paean
2017
39.5 x 23.5 x 2.5 cm
various paints on wood

Joseph Egan / painted place 2017 24 x 18 x 4 cm various paints, sand and wood on canvasboard

painted place
2017
24 x 18 x 4 cm
various paints, sand and wood on canvasboard

Joseph Egan / Turn 2017 30 x 24 x 2 cm various paints, sand and wood on canvas

Turn
2017
30 x 24 x 2 cm
various paints, sand and wood on canvas

Joseph Egan / open2009 62.5 x 42.5 x 3 cmvarious paints on canvas with framing

open
2009 
62.5 x 42.5 x 3 cm
various paints on canvas with framing

Joseph Egan / between200962.5 x 42.5 x 3 cmvarious paints on canvas with framing

between
2009
62.5 x 42.5 x 3 cm
various paints on canvas with framing

Joseph Egan / overhead2009 62.5 x 42.5 x 3 cmvarious paints on canvas with framing

overhead
2009 
62.5 x 42.5 x 3 cm
various paints on canvas with framing

Joseph Egan / silencio 2012 37 x 22 x 5 cm painted wood and painted panel

silencio
2012
37 x 22 x 5 cm
painted wood and painted panel

Joseph Egan / Rise and Shine 2017 90 x 80 x 2.5 cm various paints on canvas

Rise and Shine
2017
90 x 80 x 2.5 cm
various paints on canvas

Joseph Egan / Dovecote 2014 38.5 x 31.5 x 3 cm various paints on canvas with framing

Dovecote
2014
38.5 x 31.5 x 3 cm
various paints on canvas with framing

Joseph Egan / Public and Private 2014 38.5 x 31.5 x 3 cm various paints on canvas with framing

Public and Private
2014
38.5 x 31.5 x 3 cm
various paints on canvas with framing

Joseph Egan / Old Ways 2014 38.5 x 31.5 x 3 cm various paints on canvas with framing

Old Ways
2014
38.5 x 31.5 x 3 cm
various paints on canvas with framing

Joseph Egan / Outlook 2017 90 x 80 x 2.5 cm various paints on canvas

Outlook
2017
90 x 80 x 2.5 cm
various paints on canvas

Joseph Egan / Guarda 2017 24 x 18 x 3 cm various paints, sand and wood on canvas

Guarda
2017
24 x 18 x 3 cm
various paints, sand and wood on canvas

Joseph Egan / Local Color2017 24 x 18 x 3 cmvarious paints, sand and wood on canvas

Local Color
2017 
24 x 18 x 3 cm
various paints, sand and wood on canvas

Joseph Egan / child 2017 30 x 24 x 4 cm various paints, sand and wood on canvas

child
2017
30 x 24 x 4 cm
various paints, sand and wood on canvas

Joseph Egan / dust to dust 2017 30 x 24 x 3 cm various paints, sand and cork on canvas

dust to dust
2017
30 x 24 x 3 cm
various paints, sand and cork on canvas

Joseph Egan / resonance 2017 24 x 18 x 3 cm various paints, sand and wood on canvas

resonance
2017
24 x 18 x 3 cm
various paints, sand and wood on canvas

Joseph Egan / the bathers 2017 30 x 24 x 3 cm various paints, sand and wood on canvas

the bathers
2017
30 x 24 x 3 cm
various paints, sand and wood on canvas

Joseph Egan / Curtain 2017 24 x 18 x 2 cm various paints, sand and wood on canvas

Curtain
2017
24 x 18 x 2 cm
various paints, sand and wood on canvas

Joseph Egan / Local Color (Guarda)2017 24 x 18 x 2.5 cmvarious paints, sand and wood on canvas

Local Color (Guarda)
2017 
24 x 18 x 2.5 cm
various paints, sand and wood on canvas

Joseph Egan / Flag 2017 66 x 55 x 7 cm painted wood and painted panel

Flag
2017
66 x 55 x 7 cm
painted wood and painted panel

Joseph Egan / Piraeus2002 75 x 26 x 9 cmvarious paints and sand on wood with two free elements

Piraeus
2002 
75 x 26 x 9 cm
various paints and sand on wood with two free elements

Joseph Egan / Local Color (on Hydra) Nr. 3 2014 45 x 35.5 x 2.5 cm oil paint on paper with framing

Local Color (on Hydra) Nr. 3
2014
45 x 35.5 x 2.5 cm
oil paint on paper with framing

Joseph Egan / Local Color (on Hydra) Nr. 4 2014 45 x 35.5 x 2.5 cm oil paint on paper with framing

Local Color (on Hydra) Nr. 4
2014
45 x 35.5 x 2.5 cm
oil paint on paper with framing

Joseph Egan / Local Color (on Hydra) Nr. 5 2014 45 x 35.5 x 2.5 cm oil paint on paper with framing

Local Color (on Hydra) Nr. 5
2014
45 x 35.5 x 2.5 cm
oil paint on paper with framing

Joseph Egan / Local Color (on Hydra) Nr. 6 2014 45 x 35.5 x 2.5 cm oil paint on paper with framing

Local Color (on Hydra) Nr. 6
2014
45 x 35.5 x 2.5 cm
oil paint on paper with framing

Joseph Egan / the traveling kind 2015 40 x 15 x 5 cm painted wood and painted panel

the traveling kind
2015
40 x 15 x 5 cm
painted wood and painted panel

Joseph Egan / flowerpoint2012 40 x 37 x 5 cmpainted wood and painted panel

flowerpoint
2012 
40 x 37 x 5 cm
painted wood and painted panel

Joseph Egan / Bonnard’s Advice 2013 each: 100 x 4 x 3 cm oil paint on wood (32 parts)

Bonnard’s Advice
2013
each: 100 x 4 x 3 cm
oil paint on wood (32 parts)

Joseph Egan / Bonnard’s Advice 2013 each: 100 x 4 x 3 cm oil paint on wood (32 parts)

Bonnard’s Advice
2013
each: 100 x 4 x 3 cm
oil paint on wood (32 parts)

Joseph Egan / on Patmos (looking for Lax) 2017 30 x 20 x 4 cm various paints and sand on wood

on Patmos (looking for Lax)
2017
30 x 20 x 4 cm
various paints and sand on wood

Joseph Egan / Light Collector 2017 40 x 23 x 8 cm various paints on wood

Light Collector
2017
40 x 23 x 8 cm
various paints on wood

Joseph Egan / steps 2013 56 x 1.5 x 3 cm oil paint on wood

steps
2013
56 x 1.5 x 3 cm
oil paint on wood

Joseph Egan / dovecote 2016 30 x 25 x 6 cm various paints and sand on wood with free elements

dovecote
2016
30 x 25 x 6 cm
various paints and sand on wood with free elements

Joseph Egan / Dovecote (habitat)2009 32 x 27 x 5 cmvarious paints on wood with free elements

Dovecote (habitat)
2009 
32 x 27 x 5 cm
various paints on wood with free elements

Joseph Egan / out of the blue (Nr. 2) 2015 33 x 70 x 2.5 cm oil paint on wood

out of the blue (Nr. 2)
2015
33 x 70 x 2.5 cm
oil paint on wood

Joseph Egan / earth and sky (Nr. 1)2013 23 x 47 x 3 cmoil paints on wood

earth and sky (Nr. 1)
2013 
23 x 47 x 3 cm
oil paints on wood