Problem solver in wet colors
John Kørner uses various forms of artistic expression such as sculpture, ceramics and installation, but is probably best known for his colossal paintings. Originally trained as a carpenter, he went on to study art at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 1992–1998. John Kørner often refers to the work itself as a “problem” and concerns himself with constructing something that can illuminate or solve it, and not necessarily in the way the audience expects. He is critical of the time he lives in.
Kørner’s Main Works and His Artistic Problem
Kørner also works with graphics, architecture, video, glass and theatre, and has illustrated several books. He is preoccupied with current societal issues and has depicted Denmark’s participation in the war in Afghanistan (“16 Dead Danish Problems In Afghanistan”, U-TURN 2008), trafficking (“Kvinder til salg” (Women for Sale), the Workers Museum 2011) and the media’s way of fabricating news (“Breaking” at the exhibition “Work it out”, Kunsten Museum of Modern Art in Aalborg 2021–2022). The colours yellow and purple, and a particularly watery painting technique, with running, wet brushstrokes, are a consistent feature. Among Kørner’s main works is the colossal painting “Afghanistan” (2010) created for King Frederik X’s residence at Amalienborg. The painting was created for one wall in the antechamber of the royal banquet hall and depicts two soldiers who fall victim to an explosion. Another major work, “Kørner Lounge”, was created by Kørner as a total installation for the Royal Danish Playhouse (2008). Kept in shades of yellow and blue, and adorned with ceramic works of art, the lounge is almost intended as an artist’s studio. He has, in addition, created several works for churches such as altarpieces and glass mosaics. And he is represented at Fondation Danoise, Paris, with the work “Dronning Louises Bro” (Queen Louise’s Bridge). Kørner’s works are sold at Galleri Bo Bjerggaard, Victoria Miro Gallery (London) and Keteleer Gallery (Antwerp).
John Kørner’s Defining Art and “Kørners Kontor”
There have been several defining art events when it comes to both Kørner’s development and Danish contemporary art in particular. In 1997, Kørner, Tal R and Kasper Bonnén founded the artist-run exhibition venue “Kørners Kontor” (Kørner’s Office), part of the post-modernist art tradition, where the artists took an ironic approach to the genres and traditions of art history. With the name, the founders hinted that art is not a vocation, but simply a job; something that the artist does in an office, and that the art is created separately from the artist’s private life and other interests. With “Ambassaden” (The Embassy) in 2000, Kørners Kontor started discussions about what art is and the role it plays in society, participated in by names such as Martin Erik Andersen, FOS, Kirsten Justesen, Simone Aaberg Kærn, Bjørn Nørgaard, Ursula Reuter Christiansen and SUPERFLEX.
Solo Exhibitions With John Kørner
Kunstforeningen Gl. Strand, 2004; Art Basel, Basel 2005; Moderna Museet, Stockholm 2005; ARoS Aarhus Art Museum 2006; Victoria Miro Gallery, London 2006; Herning Museum of Contemporary Art, Herning 2013; Galleri Bo Bjerggaard, Copenhagen 2013; Victoria Miro Mayfair Gallery, London 2016; Vejle Kunstmuseum, 2016; Brandts, Odense 2016; Munkeruphus, Dronningmølle 2016; Charlottenborg, Copenhagen 2017; Espoo Museum of Modern Art (EMMA), Helsinki 2018; Helsinki Contemporary, Helsinki 2018; Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens, Belgium 2018; Victoria Miro Gallery, London 2019; Konsthall 16, Riksidrottsmuseet, Stockholm 2019; Galleri Bo Bjerggaard, Copenhagen 2019 and 2020; Keteleer Gallery, Antwerp 2020; DAC - Danish Architecture Centre, Copenhagen 2021; MOCAD - Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Michigan, USA 2020–2021; Helsinki Contemporary, Helsinki 2022; Victoria Miro Gallery, London 2022; Galleri Bo Bjerggaard, Copenhagen 2023; Patricia Low Contemporary, Gstaad 2023; Keteleer Gallery, Antwerp 2013.
Exhibitions With John Kørner
U-TURN, Copenhagen 2008; Tate, London 2010; Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin 2011; Palais De Tokyo, Paris 2012; The Hole, New York 2013; Artipelag, Stockholm 2014; ARoS, Aarhus Art Museum 2017; Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen 2018; Victoria Miro Gallery, London 2021; Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg, 2021.
Some of John Kørner’s Nominations, Grants, Awards and Positions of Trust
2000 – Carnegie Art Award
2002 – Carnegie Art Award
2003 – Carnegie Art Award
2008 – Carnegie Art Award
2003 – The Danish Arts Foundation’s 3-year grant
2012 – The Eckersberg Medal
2020–2022 – Chairman of Charlottenborg Fonden
Works by John Kørner for Sale at Bruun Rasmussen
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