Bio
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Photo: MyFinbec
John Wentz is a contemporary artist whose work is an exploration of process and technique. Working within the classical idiom of the human figure, his goal is to reduce and simplify the image to its core fundamentals: composition, color, and mark-making. Paint application and brush strokes are broad and simplified as a means to connect and convey these ideas to the viewer with an abstract sensibility.
John was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. His interest in art began at the age of 6 when he first discovered Batman and Spiderman comic books. After years of copying comics panel by panel, he worked in the commercial arts as a muralist, billboard creator, and freelance illustrator. After learning to paint by doing airbrushed billboards, he decided to pursue Fine Art and work in oils. Since then, he has had 5 solo exhibitions in San Francisco and numerous group exhibitions both nationally and internationally. His works have appeared in many publications and have won multiple awards.
Curriculum Vitae
Solo Exhibitions
2021
Liminal Spaces, Stolen Space Gallery, London
2020
VR-NISSAGE, Urban Art Fair w/ myFINBEC, Paris, France
2019
The Death of Distance, Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
2017
Navigation Unknown, Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
2015
Imprints, Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
2014
Passages, 111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2013
Spectra, Modern Eden Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2012
Synthesis, 111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2009
Adaptive Radiation, D-Structure, San Francisco, CA
Selected Group Exhibitions
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2025
Triad, Kirk Gallery, Aalborg, Denmark
2024
Sunrise, Galerie GT, Bayonne, France
2023
Figuratively Speaking, Harman Projects, New York
In Dreams, Galerie GT, Bayonne, France
2022
San Francisco Art Fair, with Harman Projects (New York), San Francisco, CA
2021
Multiples, Hashimoto Contemporary, New York
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Fragments, Stolen Space Gallery, London
Selections, art Karlsruhe, Germany
2020
4, Fraunberg Ateliers, Munich, Germany
Lately, Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
Polyphonissima, Galerie Joël Knafo, Paris, France
2019
Re-Beginning, Thinkspace Projects, Culver City, CA
Project 1606, Kunsthuizen Gallery, Leiden, Netherlands
Dancing with Myself (Two Person Show), Pretty Portal Gallery, Dusseldorf, Germany
Disrupted Realism, Stanek Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2018
Moniker Art Fair London, Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
Bodies5, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO
We The People, Mesa Arts Center, Phoenix, AZ
2017
Moleskine Project VI, Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
Neon, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO
Portrait, Vertical Gallery, Chicago, Ill
Showed Up, Alto Gallery, Denver, CO
2016
Drawn to Greatness, Arcadia Contemporary, Los Angeles, CA
Made in California, Arcadia Contemporary, Los Angeles, CA
Moleskine Project V, Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
Wes Anderson Tribute, Spoke Art, New York, NY
Mini Show, Abend Gallery, Denver, Co
Edge of Realism, Abend Gallery, Denver, Co
2015
Works on Paper, Arcadia Contemporary, New York, NY
Five & Under, Arcadia Contemporary, New York, NY
As One, Mike Wright Gallery, Denver, CO
Moleskine Project IV, Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
Freaks & Americana, Corey Helford Gallery, Culver City, CA
Tired Hands, Good Mother Gallery, Oakland, CA
Murals
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2024
Juquila Street Art Festival, Juquila, Oaxaca, Mexico
Cuicatlan Mural Festival, Cuicatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico
Dog Bar Jim, New Brunswick, Maine
2022
The Mural Project, Santa Rosa, CA
Boulogne Sur Mer Street Art Festival, Boulogne, France
Points De Vue Street Art Festival, Bayonne, France
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2019
IPAF Festival, Martinique
2018
Le Mur Douzieme, Paris, France
Artist in Residence
2024
Arthouse Pani, Tequisquiapan, Mexico
2022
Le Mur Isturitz, Isturitz, France
2019
Arthouse Holland/Project 1606, Leiden, The Netherlands
Museum Exhibitions
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2023
DeYoung Open, de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA
2022
Inside Out, Didam Museum, France
2021
Pad Dimension, Zhejiang Art Museum, China
2018
We The People, Mesa Arts Center, Phoenix, AZ
Press &Publications
2019 Graffiti Art Magazine 'Urban Contemporary Art Guide'
2019 The South African Artist Magazine
2019 Graffiti Art Magazine
2019 American Art Collector Magazine
2019 Disrupted Realism: Paintings for a Distracted World, Schiffer Publishing
2018 The Moleskine Project: Vol. II, Paragon Press
2018 Juxtapoz Magazine
2017 Juxtapoz Magazine
2015 Artist's on Art
2011 La Gazette Cournot, France
2008 Clone Magazine, Spain
2007 International Artist Magazine
2007 American Art Collector Magazine
Collaborations
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2025 Procreate: Release of Procreate version 5.5
2020 Procreate: Release of Procreate version 5
2020 Casio/Graffiti Art Magazine: Casio G-Shock Ad
2014 Red Bull Music Academy Campaign, NYC
Education
2006
BFA, Painting; Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
-with distinction
Professional Experience
2006-2012
Instructor in Fine Arts, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA (Drawing, Painting, Anatomy, Composition, and Color Theory)