Abstract painting and much more …

“Creating is a balancing act and — like life itself — often full of contradictions. So is my art: full of visual and emotional opposites. My analytic approach conflicts with the side that wants to be uncontrolled and adventurous. The art now is to bring all visually together: the calm and controlled side of a painting with its vivid and loose counterpart, balanced into harmonic co-existence. This way I create works in a unique style, that gives each piece its own strong presence and personality.”
— Jack N. Mohr

THE ARTIST

Jack N. Mohr, a native of Berlin, Germany, studied Art and Visual Communication at the State University for Creative Arts in Berlin (now University of Arts) and graduated with the equivalent of Masters’ degree in Graphic Design. See his design work here. He sees design and free art as two sides of the same coin — on one side creating under constraints with a determined goal and purpose and on the other side free exploration. Though working in both fields, he is focused on creating abstract expressionist art now.

Beginning in the late 1960s with collages, drawings and paintings on paper, Jack N. Mohr also explored photography and printmaking. Later — for several years — he was concentrated on sculptural work, mostly working with ceramics. He returned to painting when the shared ceramics studio was closed.

Jack N. Mohr came to California in 1997 and lives in Santa Barbara since. His art has been shown in numerous galleries and institutions in the United States as well as in Germany before. He was also the organizer and curator of art and design exhibitions and a judge for competitions and art prizes. Posters designed by Jack N. Mohr are represented in the collections of two museums in Berlin. His art can be found in various corporate collections and over a hundred private homes as well as in the public art collection of Santa Barbara County.

THE WORK

Though concentrating on painting now, Jack N. Mohr has explored a variety of different artistic expressions, including sculpture, collage and assemblage, printmaking (etching, lithography, monotypes), drawing, and also photography. Occasionally he is still wandering off into those artistic fields, merging styles and combining techniques. At times for studying a new material or process, but sometimes just for some creative experimenting.

Out of the many paintings and other works created by Jack N. Mohr only those are presented here on this website that are still available. Go to the overview >

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2017 Trilogy : Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2017   Balanced : Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2015 Here Now : Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2015 Then There : Karpeles Museum, Santa Barbara, California
2014   The Red Room : Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2013   The Blue Wall : Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2010   Behind the Scenes : Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2010 Now, Then & in Between : CSUCI Art Gallery, Ventura, California
2009 Retrospective : Om, Ventura, California
2008 Red & Blue & Beyond : Om, Ventura, California
2008 Imagine! : Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2006 SB Arts TV (30 min. Artist Portrait & Interview), Santa Barbara TV Channel 17
2006 Contradiction : Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2005 From Vertigo to Blue : Roberts Art Gallery, Santa Monica, California
2004 New Work : Neuvié Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2004 Behind the Scenes : Faulkner Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2004 From Vertigo to Blue : Faculty Club, University of California, Santa Barbara
2004 Mindscapes & Numbers : BoxHeart Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2003 Progression : Conference & Visitors Bureau, Santa Barbara, California
2002 Flowers of the Night : Delphine Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2002 Framed! : Delphine Gallery (front room), Santa Barbara, California
2001 Topography of White : Delphine Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
1985 Behind the Scenes : Lemberg Studio Gallery, Berlin, Germany
1975 Collages & Drawings : Galerie Murmel, Berlin, Germany

DUO & TRIO EXHIBITIONS

2022 Karpeles Museum, Santa Barbara, California
2021 Karpeles Museum, Santa Barbara, California
2017 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2017 Michael/Kate Interiors & Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2016 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California (2x)
2015 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2011 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2009 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2008 Caruso-Woods Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2007 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2006 Lotus Gallery, Los Angeles, California
2004 Absolute Art Gallery, San Marino, California
2002 Imani Gallery, Napa, California
2002 Design Metaphor Gallery, Palm Springs, California
2001 Monlleo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2000 Pat Kenny Studio, Santa Barbara, California
1998 Pat Kenny Studio, Santa Barbara, California

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2024 Arte del Pueblo, Museum of Contemporary Art, Santa Barbara, California
2023 Community Arts Collaborative (Special Event), Santa Barbara, California
2023 Pianos on State: Artists Retrospective, CAW, Santa Barbara, California
2022 Community Arts Collaborative (Special Event), Santa Barbara, California
2022 Pianos on State, Santa Barbara, California
2021 Community Arts Collaborative (Special Event), Santa Barbara, California
2020 Pianos on State, Santa Barbara, California
2020 Edith Caldwell Abode Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2019 Channing Peake Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2018 Pianos on State, Santa Barbara, California
2017 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2016 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2015 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2014 The Arts Fund Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2014 Seaside Gallery, Pismo Beach, California
2014 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2014 Santa Barbara Museum of Art (Special Event), California
2013 Design & Art Gallery, Carpinteria, California
2013 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2012 Art from Scrap Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2012 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2012 Chalk Gallery, Carpinteria, California
2011 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2011 Chalk Gallery, Carpinteria, California
2010 Monlleo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2010 Chalk Gallery, Carpinteria, California
2010 JCC Art Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2010 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2009 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2009 Chalk Gallery, Carpinteria, California
2008 Aldo Castillo Gallery, River North, Chicago, Illinois
2008 Castillo Contemporary, Chicago, Illinois
2008 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2007 The Arts Fund Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2007 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2006 BoxHeart Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2006 Ojai Center for the Arts, Ojai, California
2006 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2005 Lawyers Title, Santa Barbara, California
2005 Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2005 BoxHeart Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2004 Aldo Castillo Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
2004 The Arts Fund Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2004 Saks Fifth Avenue, Santa Barbara, California
2003 Saks Fifth Avenue, Santa Barbara, California
2003 Contemporary Arts Forum, Santa Barbara, California
2003 The Arts Fund Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2003 Tierra Solida Clay Art Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2003 Gallery International, Baltimore, Maryland
2002 Imani Gallery, Napa, California
2002 Claudia Chapline Gallery, Stinson Beach, California
2002 Fielding Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara, California
2002 Earl Warren Showgrounds, Santa Barbara, California
2002 Contemporary Arts Forum, Santa Barbara, California
2002 The Arts Fund Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2002 Exit Art Gallery, New York, New York
2001 Delphine Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2001 JCC Art Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2001 Fielding Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara, California
2001 Monlleo Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2001 DesignARC Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
2000 Contemporary Arts Forum, Santa Barbara, California
1999 SBCC Atkinson Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
1998 Art Soup Gallery, Santa Barbara, California
1989–1995 Free Berlin Art Show, Berlin, Germany
1969–1975 Free Berlin Art Show, Berlin, Germany

REVIEWS

Over the years Jack N. Mohr received many full reviews in local newspapers by acclaimed art writers. He was also frequently mentioned in the local and regional press as well as on art blogs — many times showing images of his artwork alongside. In 2006 a 30-minutes artist portrait of Jack N. Mohr with interview was aired repeatedly by the Santa Barbara TV-Channel 17. See the full reviews.

News & Events & Information

CAW · THE COMMUNITY ARTS WORKSHOP ONE DAY EVENT, NOVEMBER 23, 2024

Ready to Hang is a community art show that brings together artists of all stripes for a one-day public art sale and an artist’s party on the evening before. One piece of my Construct series will be included in the show.
631 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SANTA BARBARA OPEN GROUP SHOW, JUNE 29 – JULY 30, 2024

I am taking part in this new salon style open show with my mixed media painting Ides of July. Paseo Nuevo Upper Arts Terrace, 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, California 93101. Tuesday to Sunday, 11–6 p.m. Entry is free.

CAW · THE COMMUNITY ARTS WORKSHOP ONE DAY EVENT, NOVEMBER 18, 2023

Ready to Hang is a community art show that brings together artists of all stripes for a one-day public art sale and an artist’s party on the evening before. One piece of my new Construct series was included in the show.
631 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101.

PIANOS ON STATE : ARTISTS RETROSPECTIVE GALLERY SHOW SEPTEMBER 29 – OCTOBER 15, 2023

The Pianos on State Artists Retrospective Gallery Show celebrates the artists who have given their time to paint two or more pianos over the past 14 years. CAW, 631 Garden Street, Santa Barbara California 93101.

CAW · THE COMMUNITY ARTS WORKSHOP ONE DAY EVENT, NOVEMBER 19, 2022

Ready to Hang is a community art show that brings together artists of all stripes for a one-day public art sale and an artist’s party on the evening before. Two pieces of my new Construct series were included in the show.
631 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101.

CONSTRUCT NOVEMBER 2022

Three new acrylic and aerosol paintings on canvas combining rough abstract expressionist brushstrokes with defined geometric construction elements. So far all are in a 12 x 12 inches format, more pieces — maybe also in larger sizes — shall follow over time. See all here.

PIANOS ON STATE OCTOBER 4–23, 2022

For 2022 Jack N. Mohr was invited again to take part in the Pianos-on-State program by the city’s arts council and various art organizations, organized by the Santa Barbara Community Arts Workshop. The pianos will be on exhibition in selected locations all over State Street, the main downtown axis in Santa Barbara. Everybody is invited to use the pianos to play in public — which makes the exhibition a real display of interactive art.

Image: Proposed Design for 2022

The making of Jack N. Mohr’s piano
at the Santa Barbara Community Arts Workshop studio
on September 29 & 30, 2022 and the finished piano
exhibited in its final location at the Lobero Theater,
downtown Santa Barbara, October 3–23, 2022

Report in Voice Magazine Santa Barbara

CAW · THE COMMUNITY ARTS WORKSHOP ONE DAY EVENT, NOVEMBER 20, 2021

Ready to Hang is a community-wide art show that brings together artists of all stripes for a one-day public art sale and an artist’s party on the evening before. Pieces of my Chromeshapes series were included in the show.
631 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101.

ARTAMO·ART COLLECTION AT THE KARPELES MUSEUM MAY 8, 2021 – SEPTEMBER 18, 2022

ARTAMO·ART presented paintings from its collection at the Karpeles Museum in Santa Barbara. The exhibition showed a selection of paintings by Judy Hintz Cox and Jack N. Mohr.

The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, 21–23 West Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101
Tuesday to Sunday, 12–4 p.m. Entry is free.

PIANOS ON STATE NOVEMBER 2020

That year Jack N. Mohr was invited again to take part in the Pianos-on-State program by the city’s arts council and various art organizations. Under the special pandemic restrictions safely working on the pianos was a challenge, but all was be well organized by the Santa Barbara Community Arts Workshop. The pianos were on exhibition in selected art institutions where they were be used in concerts by local music groups, video-taped and broadcast through different media channels. See Jack N. Mohr with his finished piano on the left. See also the facebook site of the Pianos on State facebook page.

EDITH CALDWELL ABODE GALLERY AUGUST 21 – SEPTEMBER 5, 2020

This benefit exhibition was showing works by 24 selected artists, including myself. At least 50% of all proceeds went to the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics to support their outstanding effort to bring affordable healthcare to all people in Santa Barbara, regardless of their ability to pay.
8 East De La Guerra Street, Santa Barbara 93101, phone 805.696.5515. Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CHROMESHAPES SPRING 2020

14 new ceramic works based on my earlier white ceramics series but now with a high gloss chrome lacquer reflecting on todays drive for shiny and glitzy luxury items were just finished in June of 2020. Some are pure shapes and forms, some have additions of colored glass, lacquered wood, rubber, or leather cord. All pieces are 5.5" x 5.5" on matte white 12" x 12" box frames, ready to hang. See all here.

CHANNING PEAKE GALLERY NOVEMBER 7, 2019 — JANUARY 2020

Wit and Whimsy: Selections from the collection of Michael and Nancy Gifford showcased a variety of works from the recent gift of art to the County of Santa Barbara. Focusing on a selection of contemporary art from the gift, this exhibition highlights the talent and diversity of artists living and practicing in Santa Barbara County. Included in this carefully curated exhibition is my ceramic wall-sculpture Bound XII from 2002.

PIANOS ON STATE OCTOBER 2–26, 2018

After a presentation of his proposals, Jack N. Mohr was chosen by the city’s arts council and a variety of art institutions and organizations to take part in the 2018 Pianos-on-State program in which 13 pianos are placed as interactive art installations on Santa Barbara’s State Street. The public is invited to play.

Each of the selected artists has been assigned one of the pianos which were all different in style and shape. All pianos were painted during a three-day span at the Santa Barbara Community Arts Workshop.

Article in Voice Magazine Santa Barbara

Image slider: The making of Jack N. Mohr’s piano

The Work

Though Jack N. Mohr has worked in numerous disciplines of the visual arts — collage, drawing, etching, lithography, monoprints, painting, photography, sculpture — he began to focus on painting again in 2002. Since then he created a large body of strong abstract works, most of which can now be found today in various corporate collections and also a vast number of private homes worldwide. Only available pieces are presented here.

Paintings …

Abstract and some semi-abstract paintings in acrylics or mixed media on canvas — all sizes.
See available works...

Sculpture …

Wall hanging and also free standing sculptures in a variety of sizes and materials, but mostly in ceramics.
See available works...

… and more!

Photography, collages, art books, print art (lithographs, monotypes)
See available works...

Painting

“I preferably paint with acrylics on canvas but at times also work with spray enamel and other media, even integrating materials such a sand, nails, and more. I explore ideas in series, often working on several paintings side by side. Some themes I pursue over a longer time, revisiting again and again, which can stretch a series of works over years, never knowing which piece will be the last…”
— Jack N. Mohr

< Jack N. Mohr, 2017, in front of his painting “Liberation”

Construct

Construct 1 Blue / Construct 2 Yellow 2022

acrylic and aerosol on canvas, 12" x 12" both available

Construct 3 Redline / Construct 4 Connect
2022 / 2024

acrylic and aerosol on canvas, 12" x 12" both available

Vertigo 2022

Steel Flames 2022 2022

acrylic and mixed media on canvas,
seven canvases combined
100" x 48"

available

September

Nightwalk 2017

acrylic on canvas, 24" x 36"
available

Sailing Away 2017

acrylic on canvas, 24" x 36"
available

September 2017

acrylic on canvas, 36" x 24"
available

Bauhaus Crosswinds 2017

acrylic on canvas, 30" x 30"
available

Black & Duality

Three 2017

acrylic on canvas, 60" x 40" / available

Hidden Fruits 2017

acrylic on canvas, 30" x 30" / available

Duality (diptych) 2017

acrylic on canvas, 60" x 40" / available

Procession 2017 (above) acrylic on canvas, 20" x 60" / available

Shadow Dance 2017 (left) acrylic on canvas, 36" x 60" / available

Bending and Breaking 2017

acrylic on canvas, 29.5" x 39.5" / available

Balanced

Blue Nautilus (diptych) 2009/2015

acrylic on canvas, 36" x 66" / available

Morning Rise (diptych) 2009/2015

acrylic on canvas, 36" x 72" / available

Snowbird (diptych) 2015

acrylic on canvas, 48" x 60" / available

It Is as It Is (diptych) 2016

acrylic on canvas, 48" x 60" / available

Yellow Breeze (diptych) 2015

acrylic on canvas, 36" x 66" / available

Fire Dance (diptych) 2006/2015

acrylic on canvas, 36" x 66" / available

Striking Five (diptych) 2009/2015

acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 36" x 54" / available

Red Gift Wrap (diptych) 2015/2016

acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 36" x 54" / available

Sundance (triptych) 2016

acrylic on canvas, 36" x 60" / available

Tempest (diptych) 2009/2016

acrylic on canvas, 36" x 60" / available

Blue Strike (diptych) 2015/2016

acrylic on canvas, 36" x 36" / available

Turkish Delights (diptych) 2015/2016

acrylic on canvas, 24" x 36" / available

Red-Black-Yellow (diptych) 2009/2016

acrylic on canvas, 48" x 48" / available

Ungrouped

Rothgold 2017

acrylic on canvas, 33.5" x 66" / available

Autumn Air 2014

acrylic on canvas, 30" x 48"
available

Red Space 2014

acrylic on canvas, 60" x 48" / available

Red October 2014

acrylic on canvas, 60" x 48" / available

Liberation 2009

acrylic on canvas, 60" x 48" / available

L’Image Assassine Le Mot 2009

acrylic and enamel on canvas, 48" x 48" / available

Untitled Red 2009

acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 48" x 48" / available

Yellow Window 2009

acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 48" x 48" / available

Tempest II 2009/2016

acrylic on canvas, 48" x 36" / available

Montélimar 2014

acrylic on canvas, 48" x 36" / available

Ides of July 2004

mixed media on canvas, 36" x 36"
available

Closed Eyes 2004

mixed media on canvas
14" x 11" / available

on right
Coffee Time 2014
mixed media on canvas
14" x 11" / available

Revisions & Blue

Square Red 2003/2004

acrylic on canvas, 24" x 20"
available

Double Square Red 2003/2004

acrylic on canvas, 24" x 20"
available

Small Red Square 2003/2004

acrylic on canvas, 24" x 20"
available

Red Blocks on Blue 2004

mixed media on canvas, 24" x 18"
available

Stringworks

Common Blue 2003

mixed media on canvas, 48" x 36"
available

Common Gray 2003

mixed media on canvas, 48" x 36"
available

The Fire 2004

mixed media on canvas, 48" x 36"
available

Metal Blades Blinking 2003

mixed media on canvas, 48" x 36"
available

Composition on Blue I 2003

mixed media on canvas, 40" x 30"
available

Composition on Blue II 2003

mixed media on canvas, 40" x 30"
available

Composition on Red II 2003

mixed media on canvas, 40" x 30"
available

String Body Spiked Red II 2003

acrylic on canvas, 30" x 24"
available

City & Networks

New Red City 2003/2011

mixed media on canvas, 40" x 30"
available

Spiked Red VI 2003

mixed media on canvas, 40" x 30"
available

Spiked Red V 2003

mixed media on canvas, 40" x 30"
available

Central Four 2003

mixed media on canvas, 36" x 36"
available

Spiked Red I 2003

mixed media on canvas, 30" x 24"
available

Duality 2013

mixed media on canvas, 30" x 24"
available

Spiked Red IV 2003

mixed media on canvas, 30" x 24"
available

White Body II 2003

mixed media on canvas, 24" x 20"
available

Red Square I & II 2003/2016

mixed media on canvas, 10" x 10" each
on white box frame 16" x 16" x 1"
available

Red Square III & IV 2003/2016

mixed media on canvas, 10" x 10" each
on white box frame 16" x 16" x 1"
available

White Body III 2003

mixed media on canvas, 24" x 20"
available

Progression