John Chamberlain: Papier Paradisio

When John Chamberlain began his career in the late 1950s, his starting point was Abstract Expressionist painting. As has since been remarked, his twisted, lacquered, partially painted, metal sculptures eventually created a new, three-dimensional Abstract Expressionism. This collection of his two-dimensional works from different creative phases brings him back to that starting point and suggests other directions he might have taken–and quietly did take, in sketching–reinforcing both the pictorial character of his work and his unconventional way with materials. Papier Paradisio includes subtle improvised works on paper, small reliefs made in cardboard and metal, spray paintings and Formica.