John Patrick McKenzie
b. 1962, Philippines ∙ CE artist since 1989
Photo by Peter Prato
John Patrick McKenzie uses text for both its visual and semantic qualities, creating work that simultaneously serves as both image and poetry. McKenzie’s process is based on a complex, repetitive sequencing of calligraphy that methodically adds layers of nuance to his chosen subjects, which are most often people and objects from pop culture, current events, and his immediate surroundings. Some notables include Linda Rondstadt, John F. Kennedy Jr., Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Elvis.
Swirling, multi-angled, and disorienting, the placement of his language comments on the contradictory, sometimes overwhelming, nature of media attention, politics and celebrity. Often controversial or downright poking fun, McKenzie’s stylized handwriting and use of sometimes surreal repetitive meter invites his audience to infer varied and multiple meanings.
McKenzie moved to the United States with his family in 1964. He often incorporates references to his Filipino heritage and culture into his work, drawing attention to the Filipino-American diaspora and experience of American pop culture.
He was nominated for SFMOMA's prestigious SECA Art Award in 2012. McKenzie's drawings are included in the permanent collections of Le MADmusée, Liège, Belgium, and abcd (art brut connaissance et diffusion), Paris, France.
Select Exhibitions & Projects
2020
The Good American, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
The park "a darling walk for the mind", Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Of Here From There | De Aquí Desde Allá, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA
Wo bin ich? – Where am I?, Kuntshaus Kannen, Museum für Outsider Art und zeitgenössische Kunst, Münster, Germany
Mother Nature! at Outsider Art Fair 2020, New York, NY
2019
Big Bellies, Jewish Community Center San Francisco, CA
See Me with My Own Eyes, LinkedIn InCommon Space, San Francisco, CA
Creativity Explored at Cutting Ball Theatre, San Francisco, CA
The Grand Finale, Spark Arts, San Francisco, CA
Neighbors: Art from Next Door, Black & Blue Tattoo, San Francisco, CA
2018
Alphabet Soup, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, CA
CE x CG x NIAD, Minnesota Street Project, San Francisco, CA
"From" All Over the Place, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, San Francisco, CA
Nine Hearts Exploring, Jack Fischer Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Transcendent, San Franciso Zen Center, CA
Faces and Places in the City, Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Library, San Francisco, CA
Outsider Art Fair 2018, New York, NY
2017
Black White, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Outsider Art Fair 2017, Metropolitan Pavilion, New York, NY
2016
Pass Away Dia de los Muertos Altar, Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA
Measurably Long Kool, Fleisher/Ollman Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Celebrating a Vision: Art and Disability, SFO Museum, San Francisco Airport
2014
They are full of holy..., Arc Gallery, San Francisco, CA
New Zealand Outsider Art Fair, The Nathan Club, Britomart , Auckland, New Zealand
Way Out West, Mission District, San Francisco, CA
West Coasts, Museum of La Creation Franche, Begles, France
INK, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2013
Outsider Artists, Oakland International Airport, Oakland, CA
Outside In: The Art of Inclusion, Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, Ireland
2012
Out of Order, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
ArtPadSF, Phoenix Hotel, San Francisco, CA
FAX, SF Arts Commission Main Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2011
After Shelley Duvall '72 (Frogs on the High Line), Maccarone, New York, NY
John Patrick Mckenzie Is Culture Humbug Sexy, Brett McDowell Gallery, Dunedin, New Zealand
Create, University of California Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley, CA
They Are Full of Holy Nonsense, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
4 Real 4 Faux Animating the Vernacular, Truman State University Art Gallery, Kirksville, MO
Black and White and Read All Over, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2010
Paper!Awesome!, Baer Ridgeway Exhibitions, San Francisco, CA
2009
Words, Verses and Garabatos, City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Collected Fragments, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, Sunderland, England
TV and Me, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
John Patrick Mckenzie's Famous Artworks, Brett McDowell Gallery, Dunedin, New Zealand
2008
Art Repurposed, Thoreau Center for Sustainability, San Francisco, CA
Most Culture Humbug Sexy People Like John Patrick, Monster Children Gallery, Surry Hill, Australia
Finders Keepers, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2007
Shadowshine, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Naked, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2006
Vessels, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2005
Wear to Go, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Aliens: the Green Ones, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
The Pink Show, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2004
Spirits and Saints, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Radiant Spaces: Private Domain, Track 16 Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
You Are Here, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Functionable, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Critters, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2003
Japanese Rock n' California Roll, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Lit, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2001
New Works on Wood, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2000
Created in California, Berenberg Gallery, Boston, MA
1998
Whipper Snapper Nerd - Bronwyn Keenan Gallery, Bronwyn Keenan Gallery , New York, NY
Whipper Snapper Nerd - Mark Moore Gallery, Mark Moore Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
1997
Whipper Snapper Nerd - Yerba Buena Center for the Arts , Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA
