Featured works by Mark Knoerzer on display now at M Fine Arts Galerie.
Mark Knoerzer is an American artist born in Cronwall, New York who is currently living in Brooklyn. He creates glossy, glass like pieces which reference a spectrum of things ranging from humans to animals to landscapes and atmospheres. All of this is done through the use of abstract geometric shapes and silhouette like forms.
Knoerzer’s unusual works are brought to fruition through an extensive and meticulous layering process. He first hand draws his designs, then outlines the shapes with acrylics and fills them in with oils – sometimes he uses up to 15 layers of paint depending on the intended effect. Afterwards, Knoerzer coats his paintings with 3 layers of epoxy to achieve the shiny, glass-like finish. His work has become representative of his uniquely personal visual language.
The artist’s unique technique is the result of his experimentation with various mediums from an early age and his experience with 3D light installations. Indeed, Knoerzer was interested in art since childhood and his parents supported his talents by enrolling him in several art classes. Learning to use various mediums, including ceramics, oil paints and carpentry, Knoerzer knew he wanted to pursue a career in the arts.
Knoerzer received an Associates of Fine Arts from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a BFA from Parsons School of Design where he was awarded an undergraduate Deans Scholarship and a BFA Scholarship. He studied theater backdrop painting at the Studio and Forum of Scenic Arts in his hometown of Cornwall, NY.
It was while being enrolled in Parsons in 2006, that he began to move away from figural representations and began working with lights. When he returned to painting, his style was heavily influenced by the experiences he had while working with installations and his art became abstract. These unique light installations and abstract works are what he is most known for today. In 2010 he was even approached by Ironbound Films to have his art included in their new documentary Evocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie. The film won an official selection at the Tribeca Film Festival and was released in 2012 by Magnolia Pictures. Knoerzer’s work was included in Webster Hall’s Quarterly Art Soirée and “Light up Brooklyn” at the Brooklyn Morgan.
Mark Knoerzer's work is now being shown at M Fine Arts Galerie located in Boston’s SOWA Gallery District