John Kørner

Danish painter John Kørner’s works are distinguished by their vibrant palette, lively imagery, and unexpected compositions. Depicting scenes that tow the line between fantasy and reality, Kørner creates works that playfully engage the viewer and toy with notions of perception. Known to refer to his paintings as “problems,” Kørner explores the relationship between a painting’s physical presence and its descriptive capabilities. Bringing together figurative and abstracted forms, often within the context of a single canvas, Kørner invites interpretation, while at the same time acknowledging the great possibility for miscommunication.


Kørner has been the subject of solo exhibitions at institutions including the Herning Museum of Contemporary Art in Denmark, ARoS Århus Kunstmuseum, Moderna Museet in Stockholm, and The Worker’s Museum in Copenhagen. He has also been included in notable group exhibitions at the Palais de Tokyo, the Tate Modern, and Malmö Kunsthall in Sweden.

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