Ortuzar Projects in New York is currently exhibiting a solo exhibition of works by the late American artist Ernie Barnes. In Rapture is presented in collaboration with Andrew Kreps Gallery and comprises of paintings covering Barnes’ five decade career blending the worlds of art and sports.
The title of the show is inspired by B.B. King’s 2000 album, Making Love is Good for You and follows a number of recent exhibitions on Barnes’ career, including a PLAYLAB-designed show at the UTA Artist Space in Los Angeles and the sale of The Sugar Shack (1976) painting at Christies, which shattered expectations fetching $15.3m USD in 2022.
The intersection between sports and art offered Barnes an escape from the racist underbelly of the Jim Crow south that he grew up in. While usually dismissed as just a ragtag sport, even to this day, Barnes saw the creative parallels and work ethic involved in both American football and the act of art-making. Having played for the Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers and New York Titans in the AFL days, Barnes was often referred to as “Big Rembrandt” by his teammates, because he’d be sketching on the sidelines between scrimmages. Between both diametric professions, Barnes recognized that “Both required rhythm. Both required technique,” said biographer Don Tate.
On view are a number of Barnes’ seminal works, including Full Boogie (1978) and Fumble in the Line (1990), as well as lesser known portraits and landscape paintings, from In Rapture (2000) to Homecoming (1994). The exhibition is currently on view in New York until June 15, 2024.
Ortuzar Projects
5 White St,
New York, NY 10013
