JOHN CROWTHER

ART Critic

January 24, 2022

A fascination with architecture, particularly that of a city, has pervaded Art History since the renaissance. As abstraction became increasingly popular, artists began to focus on the underlying forms of the structures instead of a comprehensive figurative representation of them. Painters deconstructed the buildings, reducing them to the lines, shapes, and the energy of their surroundings. In "DTLA", JESSUS HERNANDEZ transforms downtown Los Angels into a kaleidoscopic geometric carnival. We can feel the intensity of activity, bright Californian colors racing in all directions, and the overwhelming presence of looming skyscrapers. Some curving, some sharp, every angle has pronounced intentionality and parallelism that lives and breathes monumental modern architecture.

I often like to imagine what the world looks like to an artist. Of course, every artist sees the world in their way, but just like a set of numbers looks different to an accountant, a building looks different to an artist. "DTLA" is an excellent example of how dedication to art refocuses one’s vision and allows the magic in.

COURTNEY C.

Curator and Art Collector

Texas Southern University

Dallas, TX.

“In selecting artwork for a new clinical building, I spotted a painting by Jessus that was bright and full of energy. But I needed a companion piece to hand alongside it. Jessus was responsive and open to collaborating on the commission. When the pieces arrived, the commissioned work was exactly as discussed. The paintings are a beautiful addition to our facility and Jessus was a pleasure to work with.”