Sean Gannon

Known for bold minimalist paintings that incorporate intriguing sculptural elements made of wood and industrial elements, Sean Gannon draws on the city of Chicago and its artistic heritage for inspiration. Its buildings and skyline are frequently the subject of his paintings; The Mad Hancock (2020) personifies Chicago’s fifth tallest building, 875 North Michigan Avenue—formerly known as the John Hancock Tower. Replete with glaring eyes, the replication of the structural expressionist construction shows it surrounded by a finely crafted walnut frame complete with shelf. The integration of woodworking reflects both the minimalist aesthetic of the city’s architecture and the work of Chicago Imagists Roger Brown and Hiam Steinbach. To create his canvases, the artist’s process involves sanding and painting techniques that build up and break down over multiple layers. In The Rain (2020) and A Religious Storm (2020) Gannon uses three-dimensional wooden shelves and windows to challenge the smooth flatness of the canvas.