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Almine Rech

John Giorno Foundation

The work of John Giorno embraces two disciplines: poetry and art, which have been a source of mutual fascination and inspiration for the artist. Harboring a close kinship with William Burroughs, Robert Rauschenberg, and Andy Warhol, for whom he starred in the famous film, Sleep (1963), Giorno is recognized today as one of the most influential poets of his generation. He is also considered the inventor of Performance Poetry, and of Dial-A-Poem - a free telephone line to connect listeners to recordings of original works of poetry. Giorno's words transform to images in his Poem Paintings which are short excerpts from his writings, phrases that have continually haunted him. At the crossroads between poetry, visual arts, music and performance, Giorno's work directs itself toward a broad public, redefining the capabilities of poetry  and linguistic form.

Selected artworks

  • John Giorno Foundation,                                      THANX 4 NOTHING, 2019

    John Giorno Foundation THANX 4 NOTHING, 2019

    Acrylic on primed linen - in 4 parts
    285,4 x 285,4 cm
    112 3/8 x 112 3/8 in

  • John Giorno Foundation,                                      HIT MY NOSE WITH THE STEM OF A ROSE, 2017

    John Giorno Foundation HIT MY NOSE WITH THE STEM OF A ROSE, 2017

    Acrylic on canvas
    101.6 x 101.6 cm
    40 x 40 in

  • John Giorno Foundation,                                      YOU GOT TO BURN TO SHINE, 2019

    John Giorno Foundation YOU GOT TO BURN TO SHINE, 2019

    Oil on linen
    141 x 141.3 cm
    55 1/2 x 55 5/8 in

  • John Giorno Foundation,                                      LIFE IS A KILLER, 2015

    John Giorno Foundation LIFE IS A KILLER, 2015

    Screenprint and enamel on linen
    101,6 x 101,6 cm

  • John Giorno Foundation,                                      GOD IS MAN MADE, 2018

    John Giorno Foundation GOD IS MAN MADE, 2018

    Acrylic on canvas
    120.6 x 121.3 cm
    47 1/2 x 47 3/4 in

  • John Giorno Foundation,                                      We Gave A Party for the Gods, 2007

    John Giorno Foundation We Gave A Party for the Gods, 2007

    Sérigraphie, acrylique sur toile de lin
    Silk-screen enamel/acrylic on linen canvas
    50,5 x 50,5 cm (framed)
    19 7/8 x 19 7/8 Inches

  • John Giorno Foundation,                                      I WANT TO CUM IN YOUR HEART, 2012

    John Giorno Foundation I WANT TO CUM IN YOUR HEART, 2012

    Acrylic on canvas
    121.9 x 121.9 cm
    48 x 48 in

Selected press