John William Carnell (1917-1996) was an American artist who made significant contributions to the development of abstract expressionism in the mid-twentieth century. He was known for his unique style of abstract landscapes that explored the relationship between humans and nature, particularly in the urban environment. Carnell was a founding member of the Philadelphia Group, which was instrumental in introducing the abstract expressionist style to the city of Philadelphia. Carnell's work was characterized by his use of bold colors and sweeping brushstrokes, which created a sense of movement and energy in his paintings. His works often depicted urban scenes such as cityscapes, bridges, and highways, which he transformed into abstract compositions that captured the essence of modern life. He was also known for his sculptures, which were often made from found objects and incorporated elements of nature. Throughout his career, Carnell received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1953 and a National Endowment for the Arts grant in 1975. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the United States and is held in the collections of many major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. Overall, John William Carnell was a pioneering artist who played an important role in the development of abstract expressionism in the mid-twentieth century. His unique style of abstract landscapes and sculptures explored the relationship between humans and nature in the urban environment, and his contributions to the Philadelphia Group helped to establish the abstract expressionist style in the city of Philadelphia.
John William Carnell, American artist, abstract expressionism, urban environment, Philadelphia Group, bold colors, sweeping brushstrokes, sculptures, Guggenheim Fellowship, National Endowment for the Arts, Museum of Modern Art, Smithsonian American Art Mu
CITATION : "Kevin Anderson. 'John William Carnell.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=385631 (Accessed on July 16, 2025)"
John William Carnell (1917-1996) was an American painter, sculptor and illustrator who developed a distinct personal style with his depictions of abstract expressionist landscapes. His work explored the relationship between humans and nature and, in particular, the urban environment. He was a founding member of the Philadelphia Group, which included Wolfgang Held, Antoni Rafolski and others, and was instrumental in introducing the abstract expressionist style to the city of Philadelphia. Carnell was also part of the Philadelphia School, which included the likes of Sam Maitland, George Nakashima and Morris Lewis. His most famous works include ‘Foggy Morning’, ‘City Lights’, ‘Red Planet’ and ‘Three Poems’.
John William Carnell, American Artist, Philadelphia School, Abstract Expressionist Landscapes, Philadelphia Group.
— Mei Wang
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