#nelson public art

“’What becomes prominent and what becomes buried is intuitive,’ explains the artist. ‘I let the paintings talk, juxtaposing patterns, words and symbols to create a mishmash of meaning.'” Read the full article in Luxe Magazine here.

“It’s a method to charge the painting with pre-existing material, like textiles, pages from printed books, and other elements – to force the eye in different directions and create juxtaposed messages. First you need to destroy everything and then very quickly remake it again, from the beginning.” Click here to read.

“Those influences became part of Nelson’s style- or more precisely, his language. Along the way, he began to form his own verbiage in urban-neo-folkism. As he creates, he delights in the ambiguity of it all.” Amanda Christmann for Images Arizona. Click here to read.

John Randall Nelson’s giant rabbit has finally gone up in Scottsdale. The 26-foot-tall sculpture was installed on the northwest corner of Indian School Road and Marshall Way on Wednesday, September 19. Titled One-Eyed Jack, it comprises a white rabbit sitting on its haunches, with both ears jutting up towards the sky.  Lynn Trimble. Click here to read.

“A painter and sculptor, John Randall Nelson works with the media of painting and sculpture, which derive from a personal language of archetypes and symbols. Proclaimed “a chronicler of contemporary culture”, he often uses a central image juxtaposed with a collage of iconography and text.” Angie Kordic for Wide Walls. Click here to read.

“Nelson’s exhibition focuses on the iconic theme of the west, but in true Nelson fashion creates a world all his own. In this story, Southwestern icons; Jackrabbits, rain drops, Peyote buttons and Narco Hip Hop are the obvious subject matter, it is a region where the summer resembles a thirsty desert trope and it’s shade that is sacred.” Nicole Royse for Arizona Foothills. Click here to read.

Gebert Contemporary features many abstract painters and has been displaying the work of Arizona artists since its 2001 opening. In March, don’t miss the impressive multimedia works of John Randall Nelson, who harnesses the power of icons and folk art to create simple, yet potent paintings. Nelson says, “In my work, carefully chosen iconic images and odd juxtapositions act as archetypes.” Amy Abrams for Art & Antiques. Click here to read.

“In “Release” a curtain of orderly raindrops was painted over a purple-black background. The piece brought to mind both tears and nourishing liquids and, like the best of Nelson’s works, was simultaneously smile-inducing and wistful. In addition to several corporate entities in the Bay area that regularly acquire his works, the gallery reported that young enthusiasts as well as more seasoned collectors acquired works from the recent show.” Doug McClemont for Art+Auction. Click here to read.

“A soaring, 35-foot-tall depiction of a beloved city councilman, 1970-78, and mayor, 1978-1994, as a stilt walker. Creator John R. Nelson intended the exaggerated dimensions of “Harry Above the Crowd” to represent Harry Mitchell’s “heightened sense of potential, performance and accomplishment.” Coincidentally, live stilt walkers regularly stroll the city’s Mill Avenue during spring and fall Tempe Festival of the Arts.” Lisa Polacheck for Where Magazine, 2015. Click here to read.

Working with Designer Don Steward, Paul Dahmen (Director of FP Contemporary in LA) places “March Hare” in John Legend’s art collection.   Click here to view video.