John McCracken
Artist
John McCracken in his studio in Costa Mesa, California, in the mid-1960s. Photo by Frank J. Thomas. Courtesy of the Frank J. Thomas Archives
John McCracken (1934–2011) studied painting at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California, though he was drawn to sculpture shortly thereafter. His first solo exhibition was at the Nicholas Wilder Gallery in 1965. In the following year, McCracken developed his plank sculptures, the works for which he is best known. These tall, narrow boards, reminiscent of surfboards with their highly polished surfaces and bold colors, are meant to be installed leaning against the wall. They relate to minimalist sculpture, as they do to the culture of custom-car painting prevalent in Southern California.
Works of Art
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For People Who Know The Difference, 1967, John McCracken. Polyester resin, fiberglass, and plywood. 120 x 20 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. Collection of the Mohn Family Trust. © The Estate of John McCracken. Courtesy David Zwirner, New York
Explore the Archive
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Video: Interview with John McCracken, October 4, 2010, New York, NY. © 2010 Glenstone
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Video: Jack Brogan speaks about working with Los Angeles artists, June 2011
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An exhibition at Billy Al Bengston’s Artist Studio, with works by Ed Ruscha, Peter Alexander, and John McCracken, 1970. Image courtesy of Billy Al Bengston
