John Kørner (DK)

Renowned for his dynamic and multifaceted practice, Kørner seamlessly blends figurative and abstract imagery, often executed in his signature watered-down acrylics. His work delves into pressing societal issues, including consumerism, climate change, warfare, and human relationships, urging viewers to actively engage with contemporary concerns. Beyond his canvases, Kørner is celebrated for his immersive, large-scale installations that challenge conventional boundaries in art. These spatial interventions offer visitors an opportunity to physically and conceptually navigate his artistic universe, reinforcing the urgency and relevance of his themes.

John Kørner (b. 1967, Aarhus; DK) lives and works in Copenhagen. He graduated from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, in 1998. A multidisciplinary artist, Kørner works across painting, sculpture, graphic works, and ceramics, often merging vibrant colors with social and political themes. His signature “problem paintings” depict figures and symbols in ambiguous, dreamlike spaces, addressing issues such as war, migration, and climate change. His immersive installation Intercontinental Super Fruits at MOCAD Detroit (2021) pushed his exploration of these themes into a spatial dimension, integrating painting with sculptural elements. In Blue Bedroom (2021) at Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg, he transformed the gallery into an intimate, surreal environment, inviting viewers to step into the world of his art. Kørner’s work is held in major collections, including ARKEN Museum of Modern Art, Ishøj; ARoS Aarhus Museum of Modern Art, Aarhus; Centre national des arts plastiques (Cnap), Paris; EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art, Espoo; HEART – Herning Museum of Contemporary Art, Herning; Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg, Aalborg, Moderna Museet, Stockholm; National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; Saatchi Gallery, London; Tate, London; among others.