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Atonicity, 2023, Charcoal on paper, 22 1/2 x 31 inches, 57.2 x 78.7 cm, MMG#36145

Atonicity, 2023, Charcoal on paper, 22 1/2 x 31 inches, 57.2 x 78.7 cm, MMG#36145

Spoolstrata, 2023, Graphite on paper, 22 3/8 x 31 1/16 inches, 56.8 x 78.9 cm,

Spoolstrata, 2023, Graphite on paper, 22 3/8 x 31 1/16 inches, 56.8 x 78.9 cm,
MMG#36224

Decryptames, 2023, Ink and graphite on paper, 22 3/4 x 31 inches, 57.8 x 78.7 cm,

Decryptames, 2023, Ink and graphite on paper, 22 3/4 x 31 inches, 57.8 x 78.7 cm,
MMG#36146

Tisnian, 2021-2022, India ink on handmade paper,

Tisnian, 2021-2022, India ink on handmade paper,
29 3/4 x 22 5/8 inches, 75.6 x 57.5 cm, MMG#35006

Metasternum, 2022, Ink, graphite, and colored pencil on paper,

Metasternum, 2022, Ink, graphite, and colored pencil on paper,
31 x 22 1/2 inches, 78.7 x 57.2 cm, MMG#35176

Sessilae, Ink, graphite, and colored pencil on paper,

Sessilae, Ink, graphite, and colored pencil on paper,
31 x 23 inches, 78.7 x 58.4 cm, MMG#35221

Concatenation, 2023, Ink and graphite on paper, 11 x 8 1/4 inches, 27.9 x 21 cm, MMG#36161

Concatenation, 2023, Ink and graphite on paper, 11 x 8 1/4 inches, 27.9 x 21 cm, MMG#36161

Strumurmur, 2023, Ink, gouache, and graphite on paper, 11 1/4 x 8 7/8 inches, 28.6 x 22.5 cm, MMG#36162

Strumurmur, 2023, Ink, gouache, and graphite on paper, 11 1/4 x 8 7/8 inches, 28.6 x 22.5 cm, MMG#36162

Herisson, 2023, Ink and graphite on paper, 8 x 6 1/4 inches, 20.3 x 15.9 cm, MMG#36160

Herisson, 2023, Ink and graphite on paper, 8 x 6 1/4 inches, 20.3 x 15.9 cm, MMG#36160

Tendinae, 2022, Colored pencil on paper, 9 1/2 x 7 inches, 24.1 x 17.8 cm, MMG#34974

Tendinae, 2022, Colored pencil on paper, 9 1/2 x 7 inches, 24.1 x 17.8 cm, MMG#34974

Heptesserast, 2020, Acrylic and watercolor pencil on linen,

Heptesserast, 2020, Acrylic and watercolor pencil on linen,
75 x 59 1/8 inches, 190.5 x 150.2 cm, MMG#35257

WNHLLHW, 2019, Graphite and charcoal on paper,

WNHLLHW, 2019, Graphite and charcoal on paper,
31 x 22 3/4 inches, 78.7 x 57.8 cm, MMG#35238

Stractometer, 2019, Conte crayon and graphite on paper,

Stractometer, 2019, Conte crayon and graphite on paper,
29 3/4 x 22 inches, 75.6 x 55.9 cm, MMG#35177

TLIL4TH7, 2019, Graphite and charcoal on paper,

TLIL4TH7, 2019, Graphite and charcoal on paper,
31 x 22 3/4 inches, 78.7 x 57.8 cm, MMG#35237

417714, 2019, Graphite and crayon on paper,

417714, 2019, Graphite and crayon on paper,
31 x 22 3/4 inches, 78.7 x 57.8 cm, MMG#35236

SSISTHSTH, 2019, Graphite and crayon on paper,

SSISTHSTH, 2019, Graphite and crayon on paper,
31 1/4 x 22 7/8 inches, 79.4 x 58.1 cm, MMG#35235

Langone I, 2023, Watercolor and graphite on paper, 13 1/4  x 9 inches, 33.7 x 22.9 cm, MMG#36091

Langone I, 2023, Watercolor and graphite on paper, 13 1/4  x 9 inches, 33.7 x 22.9 cm, MMG#36091

Langone II, 2023, Watercolor and graphite on paper, 13 1/4 x 9 inches, 33.7 x 22.9 cm, MMG#36092

Langone II, 2023, Watercolor and graphite on paper, 13 1/4 x 9 inches, 33.7 x 22.9 cm, MMG#36092

Ruckle, 2023, Watercolor and gouache on paper,

Ruckle, 2023, Watercolor and gouache on paper,
25 x 19 3/4 inches, 63.5 x 50.2 cm, MMG#35421

Ensciages, 2023, Watercolor and gouache on paper, 25 x 19 3/4 inches, 63.5 x 50.2 cm, MMG#35420

Ensciages, 2023, Watercolor and gouache on paper, 25 x 19 3/4 inches, 63.5 x 50.2 cm, MMG#35420

Press Release

James Siena demonstrates remarkable mastery of exuberant line in this exhibition of works on paper. Known for his unique mark making and creation of complex visual systems, Siena blends mathematical rigor with a deeply intuitive and expressive approach to form and process. 

In the drawings on view, Siena’s recursive motions across the paper plane “are methodical, but not entirely pre-planned,” describes Laura Bannister in the catalogue essay, “Each line moves in a similar—not identical—manner over and over, across the page, wryly imitating itself.” Structure and spontaneity coexist in the resulting geometric shapes, labyrinths, and free-flowing organic forms made from acrylic, colored pencil, crayon, india ink, gouache, graphite, and watercolor on varying, specially sourced paper stocks.

Rather than creating patterns, Siena insists his accretive lines form procedures. “Patterns imply a kind of repetition and uniformity,” he explains, “and what I’m interested in is the difference between things. If executed properly, the steps by which I carry out the procedure result in an unexpected outcome. An emergence.” 

James Siena (b. 1957 in Oceanside, CA) received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. For over two decades, the artist has taught at New York’s School of Visual Arts in the Masters of Fine Arts department.

Siena’s work has been the subject of solo exhibitions at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY; The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA; University Art Museum, University of Albany, New York, NY; and Xippas, Paris, France, among others.

The artist has participated in group exhibitions at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY; The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, NY; The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, CA; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY, and elsewhere.

His work may be found in numerous institutional collections including the British Museum, London, United Kingdom; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA; The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.;  and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY.

The artist lives and works in New York, NY and Otis, MA.

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