Hengesbach Gallery

Joseph Marioni

Joseph Marioni

USA

Joseph Marioni // 6. Juni 1943 (Cincinatti, Ohio) – 6. September 2024 (New York)

We have the painful task of announcing the death of a great painter: Joseph Marioni has passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. We would have wished for him to continue his magnificent late work.

Marioni felt a deep connection to the ethos of modernism in art—the commitment to direct expression, whose meaning arises not from external references but from the internal structure of painting itself. As a representative of radical painting, he sought a personal and coherent approach to the fundamental components of painting. For him, the flow of color was not only a material process, but also a reflection of social interactions through the merging and concentration of particles within a fluid painting medium.
His color paintings are therefore portraits—not only of primary colors and their emotional and reality-categorizing expressions, but also portraits of the diversity of our social spaces of interaction and, at the same time, portraits of holistic bodily sensation and perception. His luminous, color-formed painting objects are instances that can inspire viewers to engage in their own meditations.
His painterly mastery in arranging color pigments in layers—highly regarded by fellow artists—should not be perceived merely as external color-light effects. Their true inner richness unfolds only through a patient, open, and intimate dialogue.

Marioni was an attentive, compassionate person, open to all aspects of the social realm, someone who offered help wherever an individual could make a difference. He was a friend.
Over the decades, not only did an ongoing exchange about the many decisions involved in his painting processes develop, but also an intense engagement with the highlights of the long history of painting. This was accompanied by countless museum visits, often lasting for hours, sometimes culminating in extended contemplation of a single artwork—carried by an overwhelming enthusiasm for the success and mystery of painting itself.
Marioni repeatedly offered an inspiring, deeply considered perspective that challenged and encouraged growth. Yet it wasn’t only his view on art that shaped these conversations—it was also his outlook on the world, on culture, and on politics in America that kept our dialogue alive and unending.
The friend, the great artist, and the sincere human being will be deeply missed.

Joseph Marioni // 6. Juni 1943 (Cincinatti, Ohio) – 6. September 2024 (New York)

Joseph Marioni is regarded as one of the leading figures of New York Radical Painting of the 1970s. His seemingly monochromatic paintings invite meditative immersion into luminous color spaces, achieved through the interaction of translucent layers of paint. The edges of the paintings reveal the interlocking of these layers and engage the viewer’s tactile perception.

Works


Dark, 2015, Acrylic and linen on stretcher, 198 x 228 cm

Yellow Painting, 2020, Acrylic and linen on stretcher, 61 x 61 cm

Green Painting, 2021, Acrylic and linen on stretcher, 61 x 51 cm

Blue Painting, 2020, Acrylic and linen on stretcher, 71 x 56 cm

Green Painting, 2021, Acrylic and linen on stretcher, 71 x 56 cm

Red Painting, 2020, Acrylic and linen on stretcher, 61 x 60 cm

Yellow Painting, 2019, Acrylic and linen on stretcher, 86 x 94 cm

Yellow Painting, 2011, Acrylic and linen on stretcher, 86 x 91 cm

Biography

1943 – 2024
Born in Ohio (USA), lived and worked in New York City since 1972, passed away in New York City.
1962–1966 Cincinnati Art Academy
1966–1970 San Francisco Art Institute

Awards

1997 Berwanger Award

Solo-Exhibitions (selection)

2024 “Für Joseph Marioni”, Kolumba Kunstmuseum, Köln (D)
2023 „Vom Geschmack eines Apfels“, PEAC Museum, Freiburg (D), „Licht Farbe Körper“, Hengesbach Gallery (D)
2022 „liquid light – portraits of color“, Galerie Mark Muller, Zürich (CH), „liquid light“, Galerie Baronian, Brüssel (B)
2018 „Liquid Light – Joseph Marioni“, Retrospektive Museum Wiesbaden (D)
2016 „Die van Aalst“, Cultuurcentrum Belgica Dendermonde (BE), „Tango Them Basel“, Galerie Mark Muller, Zürich, (CHE), „Blue Scale (Cool Spectrum)“, Larry Becker Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, (PA), „Berkeley Eye: Perspectives from the Collection“, UC Berkley Art Museum, Berkeley, (US), „WestFarbe“, Raum 2810 Bonn, Bonn (D), „My Abstract World“, Stiftung Olbricht /Me Collectors Room, Berlin (D)
2015 „LIQUID LIGHT/ Joseph Marioni“ DAAP – Reed Gallery „Cincinnati“, (OH), „Joseph Marioni“ Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, (PA)
2014 „Joseph Marioni“, Kunstverein Friedrichshafen (D)
2013 „Joseph Marioni. Works on Paper“, Museum gegenstandsfreier Kunst, Otterndorf (D)
2012 “Paintings“, Hengesbach Gallery, Berlin (D)
2011 „90 Years of New: Eye to Eye – Joseph Marioni“, The Phillips Collection, Washington D.C. “Paintings from the 1970’s – Joseph Marioni“, Galerie Mark Muller, Zürich
2010 “Joseph Marioni“, Wade Wilson Art, Houston, TX “MONOKRÓM \ Monocrome Paintings“, Museum Fine Arts Budapest, Joseph Marioni, Gunther Umberg, Marcia Hafif, Phil Sims (HU) “Contemporary Works from the Cleve Carney Collection“, Elmhurst Art Museum (USA)
2009 “Liquid Light – A Sanctuary for Light“, Art|40|Basel, Art Unlimited Project Hosted by: Galerie Mark Muller, Basel “Painting And Its Environs“, Palacio De Sástago, Zaragoza (ES) “benenth the SEEN“, Wade Wilson Art, Houston, TX (USA) “Extreme Possibilities | New Modernist Paradigms“, The Painting Center, New York “Joseph Marioni – Artmatters #13“, The McNay, The Marion Koogler McNay Museum San Antonio, TX (USA)
2008 University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario (CAN) “LIQUID LIGHT / Joseph Marioni Painter“, Wade Wilson ART, Houston, TX
2007 “Joseph Marioni“, University Art Gallery, New Bedfod, MAS (USA)
2006 Schmidt Maczollek Gallery, Cologne “Joseph Marioni“, Peter Blum Chelsea, New York
2005 “Joseph Marioni Paintings“, Galerie Xippas, Paris “Joseph Marioni Paintings“, Galerie Mark Müller, Zürich
2004 “Joseph Marioni: Malerei“, Galerie S 65, Cologne
2003 “Joseph Marioni Iro“, Amarillo Museum of Art, Amarillo (USA) “Joseph Marioni“, Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe (USA) “Joseph Marioni, Portraits of Color“, Chac-Mool Gallery, Los Angeles
2002 “Joseph Marioni : Blue Paintings“, Howard Yezerski Gallery, Boston
2001 “Joseph Marioni“, Raum Für Kunst, Munich “Joseph Marioni : Red Paintings“, Patricia Sweetow Gallery, San Francisco “Joseph Marioni“, Devin Borden Hiram Butler Gallery, Houston (USA) “Joseph Marioni : Green“, Galerie Mark Müller, Zürich
1999 “Joseph Marioni : Paintings 1990 – 1999“, Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus (USA) “Joseph Marioni : Tryptych“, Erzbischofliches Diozesanmuseum Cologne “Joseph Marioni, 1989-1999,“ Galerij S65, Aalst (BE) “Joseph Marioni : Seven Paintings“, Charlotte Jackson Fine Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico (USA)
1998 “Joseph Marioni : Paintings 1970-1998“, A Survey, Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, Waltham (USA) “Joseph Marioni : Seven Paintings“, Gallerie Mark Muller, Zürich “Joseph Marioni : Paintings 1992 – 1998“, Peter Blum Gallery, New York
1997 “Joseph Marioni : Works on Paper“, Galerij S65, Aalst, Belgium. “Joseph Marioni : Seven Paintings“, Charlotte Jackson Fine Arts, Santa Fe, USA.
1996 “Joseph Marioni : Paintings – 1978 to 1995“, Wiener Secession, Vienna “Joseph Marioni : Private Icons, Paintings – 1980 to 1995“, Kunstmuseum St. Gallen, St. Gallen (CH) “Joseph Marioni : Four Paintings, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979“, Galerie Rupert Walser, Munich “Joseph Marioni : Four Paintings“, Howard Yezerski Gallery, Boston “Joseph Marioni : Four small paintings, Tidsrum Maleri – Zeitraum Malerei“, Copenhagen “Joseph Marioni : Ten Paintings“, Peter Blum Gallery, New York
1995 “Joseph Marioni : Six Paintings“, Galerie nachst St. Stephan, Vienna “Joseph Marioni : Private Icons, Paintings – 1980 to 1995“, Kunsthalle Baden-Baden, Baden-Baden (D) “Joseph Marioni : Eight Paintings“, Galerie Mark Muller, Zürich
1994 “Joseph Marioni : Eight Paintings“, Galerij S65, Aalst (BE)
1993 “Joseph Marioni : Five Paintings“, Galerie nachst St. Stephan, Vienna “Joseph Marioni : Three Paintings“, Galerie Rupert Walser, Munich, “Joseph Marioni : Paintings (Collection of Hubert Hagedorn)“, Kunstverein Lüneburg (D) “Joseph Marioni : Paintings“, Kunsthalle Winterthur, Winterthur (CH)
1992 “Joseph Marioni : Seven Paintings“, Galerie Buchmann, Basel (CH) “Joseph Marioni : Four Paintings“, Galerie Rolf Ricke, Cologne “Joseph Marioni : Six Paintings“, Galerie Mark Muller, Zürich “Joseph Marioni : Eight Paintings“, Galerie S65, Aalst (BE)
1990 “Joseph Marioni :Six Paintings“, Laure Genillard Gallery, London “Joseph Marioni : Six Paintings“, Galerie Rolf Ricke, Cologne
1989 “Joseph Marioni : Ten Paintings“, Galerie S65, Aalst (BE)
1988 “Joseph Marioni : Paintings“, Museum Abteiburg, Mönchengladbach (D) “Joseph Marioni : Five Paintings“, Lorence-Monk Gallery, New York “Joseph Marioni : Three Paintings“, Galerie Rupert Walser, Munich

Group-Exhibitions (selection)

2016 „A Baronian“, Brussels (B), „diezeiten: More Than Fifteen Minutes“, Halle 14, Leipzig (D)2013 „Bildfrost (frozenness)“, Hengesbach Gallery, Berlin (D)
2012 „Farbe im Fluss/Color in Flux“, Museum Weserburg, Bremen (D); „20 YEARS“, Hengesbach Gallery, Berlin (D)
2011 “Joseph Marioni and Peter Tollens“, Wade Wilson Art, Houston, TX “Abstract Now“, BAM/PFA, Berkeley, CA “Incidents Maitrisé“s, Espace d L’Art Concret, Mouans-Sartoux (F) “Alberto Giacometti“, Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg (D) “Out of the Cartouche“, Monochrome Works of the Antal-Lusztig Collection, MODEM Centre for Modern and Contemporary Arts, Debrecen (HU) “Painting: Process and Expansion From The 1950’s until now“, MUMOK, Vienna
2010 “Pushing more Pictures“, Hengesbach Gallery, Berli “Anti – Icon“, Eaton Fine Art, West Palm Beach, Florida
2009 “Against the Grain – 15 Years Collection“, Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg (D) Artissima, Galerie Xippas, Turino, Italy “XXL SAMMLUNG“, Kunstraum Alexander Bürkle, Freiburg (D) “Weight Watchers“, Galerie Xippas, Paris
2008 “There is a Desire lelt (Knock, Knock) – 40 years of fine arts from the Mondstudio Collection“, Kunstmuseum Bern (CH) “Works on paper : The Natalie and Irving Forman Collection,“ Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo (USA) “Paragons: New Abstraction from the Albright-Knox Art gallery“, Doris McCarthy Gallery, Toronto (USA) Wiesbaden Museum, Wiesbaden, Germany
2007 “The Fully emptiness, Japan and the West,“ Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg (D) “Das Kapital. Blue Chips and Masterpieces“, Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt Opening of the New Museum, Kolumba, Cologne “Birthday“, Galerien der Stadt Esslingen, Villa Merkel (D) & Kunstmuseum St. Gallen (CH) “Brave Lonesome Cowboy: Western Topoi in Contemporary Art or: For John Wayne’s 100th Birthday“, Galerien der Stadt Esslingen, Villa Merkel (D) ]& Kunstmuseum St. Gallen (CH) “RoseArt. Works from the Permanent Collection“, The Rose Art Museum of Brandeis University, Waltham (USA) “Not for Sale“, P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, Long Island City (USA) “Painting Painting, International Monochrome Painting in the Vass Collection“, Modern Gallery – Vass Laszlo Collection, Veszprem (HU)
2006 “Line and Surface“, Galerie Peter Blum, New York
2005 “Very Early Pictures. An exhibtion of drawings (and works in other media) made by contemporary artists when they were children“, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside (USA) “Post and After : Contemporary Art from the Brandies University Collection“, The Rose Art Museum of Brandeis University, Waltham (USA) “Vertiges : Printemps de Septembre à Toulouse“, Les Abattoirs, Toulouse (F) “Collection Histories/Collective Memories“, California Modern, Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach (USA) “Extreme Abstraction“, Albright Knox Gallery, Buffalo (USA) “POPulence“, Blaffer Gallery, Houston (USA) “What’s New, Pussycat ? Neuerwerbungen und Sammlung Stroeher“, Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt “The Continous Mark : 40 Years of the New York Studio School“, New York Studio School (USA) “Sweet Temptations. Dialoge mit der Sammlung Rolf Ricke“, Kunstmuseum St.Gallen (CH) “Willem de Kooning“, BA-CA Kunstforum, Vienna
2004 „The spirit of white“, Galerie Bayeler, Basel (CH) „What’s the matter?“, Charles Nodrum Gallery, Melbourne (AUS) „Monochromos, de Malevich al Presente“, Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid “The Grass is not Greener“, Charlotte Jackson fine Art, Santa Fe (USA) Contemporary Art Exhibition, Geneva (CH) „ON- Imaugural Group exhibition“., Galerie Xippas, Athens (GR)
2003 “Turning Corners“, Berkeley Art Museum, San Fransisco “Real Red“, Charlotte Jacksons Fine Art, Santa Fe (USA) “Breaking The Charmed Circle“, Christopher Grimes Gallery, Santa Monica, (USA) “Real / Unreal“, University of Nevada, Sheppard Fine Arts Gallery, Reno (USA) “Yellow Paintings“, Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe (USA) “Seeing Red: International Exhibition of Nonobjective Painting“, Dr. Michael Fehr et Gabriele Evertz, Hunter College Art Galleries, New York “Blanc de Blanc“, Galerie Xippas, Paris “24“, Eugene Binder, Marfa (USA) “Color Based Paintings. Malerei Zwischen Planung und Prozess“, Bergner und Job Galerie, Mainz (D) “On“, Gallery Xippas, Athens (GR) “The Spirit of White“, Galerie Beyeler, Basel (CH) “Yellow“, Howard Yezerski Gallery, Boston (USA) “Some Painting“, Larry Becker Contemporary Art, Philadelphia (USA)
2002 “Private Space“, Galerie Hubert Winter (A) “Acht malerische Positionen“, Galerie S 65, Cologne “Collectors‘ Favorites“, Galerie Nächst St. Stephan, Vienna “Joseph Marioni/ Robert Ryman/ John Zurrier“, Larry Becker Contemporary Art, Philadelphia (USA) “Claude Monet …up to digital impressionism“, Fondation Beyeler, Basel (CH) “Painting Matter“, James Cohen Gallery, New York “Colour – A Life Of Its Own“, Mücsarnok, Budapest (HU) “Mono-Chrome“, Paul Rogers/9W, New York “Yellow“, Pestorius Sweeney House, Hamilton, Brisbane (AUS) “Impressions -Art For The Tropical Forest“, Galerie Beyeler, Basel (CH) “Some Chromes“, Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge (USA) “Las Vegas Collects“, Las Vegas Art Museum, Las Vegas “Painted Color“, Chac-Mool Gallery, West Hollywood, CA (USA) “ZENROXY“, Von Lintel Gallery, New York
2001 “The Pleasures of Sight“, States of Being, & Freeing Experience, Museum of Fine Art FSU, Tallahassee, Florida, Appleton Museum of Art, Ocala (USA) “Paintings“, Photographs, Howard Yezerski Gallery, Boston (USA) “The Flatness Of Painting : Joseph Marioni & Gerhard Richter“, 20.21 Galerie Edition Kunsthandel, Essen (D) “Radical Painting“, Städtische Galerie Villa Aichele, Lörrach (D) “Darlings Bilder & Skulpturen aus privaten Sammlungen“, Museum Morsbroich, Leverkusen (D) “Gerhard Richter, Joseph Marioni, Yves Klein“, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney (AUS) “Monet And Modernism“, Kunsthalle Munich (D); Beyeler Foundation, Basel (CH) “Künstlerräume/Sammlerräume“, Kunstverein St. Gallen Kunstmuseum (CH)
2000 “Carnes, Heywood, Foshee, Marioni, Kerr, Kim, Leighnor, Picton, Tollins“, Patricia Sweetow Gallery, San Francisco (USA) “The Tao of Painting: Principles of Monochrome“, The McKinney Avenue Contemporary, Dallas (USA)
1999 “Color-Based Painting, The Root of The Actual, DeCrigins, Hughes, Marioni, Meller, Sims, Thursz, Tollens, Wellmann“, Jan Maiden Fine Art, Columbus (USA) “Stefan Gritsch:Farb-Korper, Joseph Marioni: Farb-Bilder“, Galerie Monika Reitz, Frankfurt (D) “Color-Based Painting, High Modernism, DeCrigins, Marioni, Sims, Thursz, Tollens, Wellmann“, Patricia Sweetow Gallery, San Francisco “Ryman – Marioni – Rabinowitch, Skulpturen / Bilder“, Ausstellungsraum Harry Zellweger, Basel (CH) “Die Farbe (Rot) hat mich“, Karl Ernst Osthaus-Museum, Hagen (D)
1998 “Positionen der Malerei“, Studio d’arte Harry Zellweger, Basel (CH) “Color-Based Painting, DeCrignis, Hafif, Marioni, Meller, Sims, Thursz, Tollens, Wellmann“, Howard Yezerski Gallery, Boston (USA) “Die Erste Sammlung Zu Gast“, Kunsthaus Mürzzuschlag (A) “Farbe II, Baumkotter, Breedveld, Crignis, Hartter, Marioni, McCracken“, Galerie Monika Reitz, Frankfurt (D) “Undercurrents and Overtones“, C.C.A.C, Oakland (USA)
1997 “Drawing the Line and Crossing It, Works on Paper“, Peter Blum Gallery, New York “Color and Paper“, Galerie nächst St. Stephan, Vienna
1996 “Colour and Paint“, Kunstmuseum St. Gallen (CH) “Monochromie Geometrie : Charlton, Federle, Knoebel, Marioni, Uglow, Umberg“, Sammlung Goetz Museum, Munich (D) “In Quest of the Absolute : Malevich, Mondrian, Newman, Reinhardt, Rothko, Ryman, Marden, Martin, Federle, Marion“i, Peter Blum Gallery, New York “Federle, Ferrand, Marioni, Umberg“, Fact Ausstellungsraum, Therwil (CH) “Collection Hans Rohr, Haus fur konstruktive und konkrete Kunst“, Zürich “From Color Field to New Abstraction (from the museum’s collection“), Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, Waltham (USA) “Ceremonia“, Apex Gallery, New York
1995 “Malerei auf Papier: Positionen, Galerie Mark Müller,“ Zürich

Collections

Albright-Knox Art Gallery (USA), The Buffalo Fine Arts Gallery (USA), Amarillo Museum of Art (USA), Aargauer Kunsthaus (CH), Basel Kunstmuseum (CH), Berkeley Art Museum (USA), Birmingham Museum of Art (USA), Cincinnati Art Museum (USA), Collection Hanny Frick Museum (LI), Columbus Museum of Art (USA), Fonds National d’art Contemporain Paris (F), Fogg Art Museum Harvard University (USA), Karl Ernst Osthaus Museum Hagen (D), KOLUMBA Cologne (D), Kunstmuseum St. Gallen (CH), Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg (D), La Collection Jumex (MEX), Malmö Kunsthal (S), McNay Museum San Antonio (USA), Marieluise Hessel Collection (USA), Mirvish Collection Toronto (USA), Museum Fine Arts Houston (USA), Museum für Konkrete Kunst Ingolstadt (D), Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Vienna (A), Rose Art Museum Brandeis University (USA), Sammlung Goetz (D), San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (USA), Städtisches Museum Abteiberg Mönchengladbach (D), Kolumba Museum Köln (D), University Art Museum The University of Queensland Brisbane (USA), Utah Museum of Fine Arts (USA), Vass László Collection (HU), Von Der Heydt-Museum Wuppertal (D), Whitney Museum of American Art (USA), Williams College Museum of Art (USA), Paul Ege Art Collection (D), Hamburger Kunsthalle (D)