Gary Lang Signed Original Acrylic Plaid Painting Contemporary Art

Artist: Gary Lang
Title: Plaid Painting
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Applied to Board
Image Size: 11" x 11"
Edition: Original
Years: 1989
Inscription: Signed on back along with gallery label from Annina Nosei Gallery, NY
Documentation: Includes original galley label on bakc and Certificate of Authenticity from Modern Artifact

Renowned American artist Gary Lang's vibrant original painted titled Plaid Painting (1989), presents a dynamic exploration of color and pattern. Measuring 11 x 11 inches, the painting features a woven network of bold, interlocking lines and shapes in shades of blue, green, purple, grey, yellow, and red. Lang's distinctive use of acrylic on canvas creates a rich, textured surface, with each color interacting fluidly to form a plaid-like design that vibrates with energy and movement.

Lang is widely known for his intricate and geometric compositions that evoke a sense of rhythm and flow, often reminiscent of optical and abstract art traditions. In Plaid Painting, he masterfully balances precision and spontaneity, creating a work that is both structured and lively. The carefully chosen palette adds to the painting's dynamic appeal, with cool blues and greens juxtaposed against warmer tones of red, yellow, and purple, giving the composition depth and contrast. Gary Lang's works are celebrated for their optical brilliance and meditative quality, and Plaid Painting exemplifies these traits. This piece offers collectors a rare glimpse into Lang's evolving practice in the late 1980s, showcasing his ability to transform simple geometric forms into complex, visually captivating works. Gary Lang's Plaid Painting is signed on the back alongside the original gallery label from Annina Nosei Gallery, NY. Purchase also includes a certificate of authenticity from Modern Artifact. The canvas is mounted to a backing board, but the work is otherwise unframed, and we are happy to assist with custom, in-house framing options.

About Gary Lang

Gary Lang (b. 1950, Los Angeles, California) is an influential contemporary American painter known for his bold explorations of color, form, and geometry. Throughout a career spanning over five decades, Lang has become recognized for his intricate, meditative works that balance precision with spontaneity, often evoking a sense of rhythm, flow, and optical dynamism. His work is firmly rooted in both the Abstract and Minimalist traditions, though it frequently transcends genre boundaries through his unique use of color and repetitive geometric patterns.

Early Life and Education
Born in Los Angeles, Lang displayed an early interest in art and visual expression. He pursued his passion academically, first attending the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, a school renowned for producing many of the city's leading modernist artists. After Chouinard, Lang earned his BFA from California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in 1972, where he was exposed to a range of avant-garde techniques and approaches to painting. His time at CalArts played a crucial role in shaping his approach to abstraction and formalism.

Seeking to expand his horizons, Lang moved to New York, a city that offered vibrant artistic opportunities during the 1970s. He continued his studies at Yale University, where he completed an MFA in 1975. During his time at Yale, Lang refined his signature style, which blends Minimalism's restrained, deliberate compositions with a more emotive use of color. The city's thriving art scene provided Lang with exposure to influential artists and movements, which would later inform his mature works.

Artistic Style and Approach
Gary Lang's art is characterized by its intricate use of geometric shapes, vibrant colors, and repetitive patterns. His works often feature meticulously rendered concentric circles, grids, stripes, and linear forms that create a sense of depth and movement. These designs play with optical perception, compelling the viewer's eye to move continuously across the canvas.

One of Lang's most iconic series is his "Circle" paintings, which he began in the 1980s. These works are known for their rhythmic, pulsating concentric circles, which he paints by hand with exacting precision. The resulting compositions feel both dynamic and meditative, a reflection of Lang's interest in exploring the emotional and psychological effects of color and form. The meticulous repetition in his works is also linked to his fascination with the mandala, an ancient symbol of unity and completeness, which has spiritual significance in several cultures.

Lang's approach to painting is both methodical and intuitive. He works with acrylics, a medium that allows for both sharpness of line and layering of color. His abstract forms often arise from a complex interplay between organic spontaneity and geometric precision, resulting in a visual tension that invites contemplation.

Exhibitions and Recognition
Lang's work has been exhibited extensively in galleries and museums across the United States and internationally. He has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, including at prestigious venues such as the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, and the Kunsthalle Basel in Switzerland. His paintings are also part of notable public and private collections, further cementing his influence in the contemporary art world.

In addition to his painting practice, Lang has worked in other media, including sculpture and installation. His multidisciplinary approach reflects his commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms and engaging viewers in new, immersive ways.

Legacy
Today, Gary Lang continues to live and work in Ojai, California. His long-standing exploration of color, form, and abstraction has solidified his position as a significant figure in contemporary art. Lang's work remains relevant and engaging, attracting new generations of collectors and viewers who are drawn to the visual and emotional power of his compositions.

Lang's artistic career is defined by his ability to meld complex geometric structures with expressive color palettes, creating works that are at once visually arresting and contemplative. His commitment to exploring the possibilities of abstraction ensures that his contributions to modern art will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.