Jonny Negron's Spirits at Château Shatto
Although depictions of men dominate the paintings in Jonny Negron’s Spirits at Château Shatto, it’s the women in Cosmic Dancer that had me utterly entranced. I love how Jonny paints women. He understands the power that emanates from the female form and depicts the diverse sizes that populate the world. Jonny’s women are ferociously sexy, always stylish, empowered, and intimidating to those without a spine. When I stand in front of one of his paintings, I feel an energy pulse through my veins that fills with me with an electrifying charge. His work has the ability to whisk you away to another dimension, where bold women are worshiped and can imbibe on exotic cocktails while enjoying psilocybin tinctures with total abandon. Whether this idea or projection proves to be true, it remains a powerful invocation that I cherish.
As long as I’ve been maneuvering through the art world, whether as a friend, lover or professional, I have not seen anything similar to Negron’s work, which makes for an exhilarating experience as a patron. Jonny’s strokes are uniquely his own. Themes of nightlife are abundant and at times depraved, a lifestyle I am familiar with but much less so these days.
This summer while throwing a rooftop party with friend and artist Gabriella Sanchez in celebration of my birthday and her major museum show opening at MOLAA, I had the chance to catch up with Jonny over some chilled palomas. He mentioned an upcoming solo show he was diligently working on and for the next few months I eagerly anticipated it. Fast forward to early Fall and I find myself in Jonny’s studio to pick up a print that I had purchased. The first thing that grabbed my attention was Cosmic Dancer on the wall, in progress, and was I entranced. I knew I was in the studio of an auteur and that was exciting. At the time, he was still sketching out the women’s complete looks but a small black Telfar was hanging from a thickie with attitude and another was sporting Camper Kobarah Heels in blue. It is rare to see a man get it. I couldn’t wait to see what other accessories he’d adorn the women with.
Spirits is an impressive showing at Chateau Shatto that includes six acrylic paintings on linen alongside four video works, a new medium for the artist. With commissioned work for Rosalia and KUN during the global pandemic, it was evident that Negron’s profile was on the rise. But his work doesn’t need celebrity cosigns to ascend, the techniques and creativity speak for themselves. From major success in the comic sphere to becoming an coveted artist in the fine art world, the strides have been substantial for Negron. To be a disciplined young visionary with sex appeal apparent to all genders is the making of a success story. One that I am compelled to watch.
Jonny Negron, Spirits
November 20 - January 15, 2022
Chateáu Shatto
1206 Maple Ave, Suite 1030
Los Angeles, CA
90015
