ES23

Foreword by Sandy Heller

The artist known as ES23 was born in 1964 in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), in what is now present-day Russia. Although both of his parents were mathematicians, ES23 had a natural inclination towards the arts from a young age — at five he was painting and drawing, and by ten he was admitted to one of the most prestigious art schools at the time (no longer extant). In 1989, he emigrated to the United States and has worked diligently in a variety of jobs within the oil and steel industries to support his painting practice.

ES23 in his studio.

ES23 transforms simple shapes into complex, fantastical arrangements. For example, in Farmer and His Friend (Figure 1) the dreamy, gestural brushstrokes of the sunset-coloured background contrasts sharply with the bold, stark lines of the tractor and driver. The artist’s masterful command of colour renders hues of blue, purple, yellow, pink, and orange layered upon one another to create a dense, complex sky, expanding upon the aesthetic ideas of modern artists like Josef Albers and Bridget Riley.

Figure 1. ES23, Farmer and His Friend.

Untitled also recalls the spirited wit of artists like David Shrigley, who similarly employs unembellished imagery and bold linework to humorous effect (Figure 4). For instance, in ES23’s Untitled, the weight-lifter’s bulbous ears are mirrored in the weights at either end of the barbell that he holds in his hands, offering an amusing interpretation of so-called boxer’s ear that has plagued wrestlers since ancient times.

Figure 4. David Shrigley, Untitled (Elephant Chooses to Stand on Your Car), 2004, ink on paper, 21 ¹¹⁄₁₆ x 16 ³⁄₈ inches, 55.3 x 41.8 cm. Tate, London.

ES23’s dynamic application of colour and shape expands the boundaries of geometric abstraction to create mesmerizing forms, recalling the complex compositions of works by artists like James Siena, whose captivating arrangements similarly explore themes of col or and repetition (Figure 5).

Figure 5. James Siena, Tanagra, 2006, lithograph, 28 ⁷⁄₈ x 43 ³⁄₁₆ inches, 73.4 x 109.7 cm. Museum of Modern Art, New York.

ES23 does not make preparatory sketches but instead works out his ideas and form directly on the canvas, allowing him to explore themes and materials more freely. Like other abstract artists including Siena, Bridget Riley and Slinky Palermo, ES23 deconstructs geometric abstractions into their most basic, essential elements, then builds them up again into vibrant, unexpected compositions (Figure 6).

Figure 6. ES23, Untitled.

Painted after the October 7 attacks on Israel, many of ES23’s works act as introspective reflections of turbulent times. In Red Heli (Figure 7), the brash, red brushstrokes above the helicopter resemble more an explosion than propellers, evoking emotions of anxiety and conflict.

Figure 7. ES23, Red Heli.

The artist’s fatalistic plumes recall Jim Shaw’s imagery (Figure 8), which also features visually overwhelming compositions that linger within the viewer’s mind. In Red Heli, ES23 combines compelling imagery with bold col or to great effect, communicating urgency and disaster through the painting’s bold coloration and direct linework.

Figure 8. Jim Shaw, Cloud Chamber, Utopian Landscape 4, 1988, pencil on paper, 16 ⁷⁄₈ x 13 ⁷⁄₈ inches, 42.86 x 35.24 cm. Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.

ES23’s oeuvre is diverse, complex, and often autobiographical. His portrayal of Jewish symbols and figures signifies a deep-rooted connection to his faith. Additionally, his colourfully repetitive works like Stars of David (Figure 9) are reminiscent of paintings by the modern abstract painter Blinky Palermo, who was also invested in spatial relations expressed through tone and repetition (Figure 10). However, ES23’s powerful iconography adds an emotionally charged and poignantly personal element to his works.

The artist’s Small Caricatures series similarly makes meaning through repetition (Figure 11). The Caricatures act as a series of self-portraits, while also offering a nuanced and introspective reflection of Jewish identity. Like the figural, caricature work of artists like David Shrigley and Raymond Pettibon (Figure 12), ES23 infuses his personality and identity into his works, creating an accessible, yet deeply personal rendering of himself to his viewers.