Jonathan Blum Retrospective at Arts Gowanus & 25 Years on Park Slope's Fifth Avenue!
Jonathan Blum's forehead paintings and other art from the past 40 years are the focus of a retrospective at Arts Gowanus.
Twenty-five years ago, when Jonathan Blum approached the business owners of a 250-square-foot Italian thrift shop on 5th Avenue to take over their lease, he did it to move his art studio into the space and save on rent.
“I said, Listen, can I ask you something? What if I pay your back rent and take over your lease?” the 59-year-old portrait painter told me as I sank into the two-tone red striped couch in his art studio. “They were paying like $800 a month. I was like, Wow, a miracle! And that's kind of how I did it.”
A few years after Jonathan settled into 285 5th Ave, he realized the miracle wasn’t the affordable price tag on a prime location in the neighborhood, but how his art studio had become a well-known fixture along 5th Avenue.
“I am actively in the community. I have people every day come in,” Jonathan told me. Almost as if on queue, 10 minutes later, a former 5th Ave business owner whom Jonathan has known for decades stopped in to catch up. They discussed their families, the local rental market, and the exorbitant cost of housing renovations. After he left, Jonathan turned to me and said, “That’s the best part. I love that.”
Jonathan has maintained an open-door policy from day one — he literally props open his studio door when the weather is nice — and as a self-described extrovert, that’s exactly how he likes it. “A lot of times, people just want to sit, and I’ll give them some tea,” he said. He admits that while this policy has allowed him to easily connect with neighbors, it’s also good for business. People who have met Jonathan in his studio and have seen his work often return to make a purchase, even months or years later.
One downside of owning a storefront as an artist is frequent interruptions, especially when Jonathan paints during normal working hours. “Basically, I've learned to and I'm really good at hearing people but getting shit done,” he said. He’s also a “night painter,” which means if you walk by the studio after midnight, you might see him working on a piece. “I've even had sales at two or three in the morning,” he told me.
Jonathan’s studio is a tight 250-square-feet. But a couple times a year, it spills out onto 5th Avenue. In 2021, Jonathan organized the first 5th Ave Music and Art Stroll, a day showcasing local artists and musicians on the block in front of his studio — 5th Avenue between 1st and 2nd Streets. In 2008, he recruited 20 artists to take over the same block during the Fabulous Fifth Avenue Fair, an event that still occurs today and has earned the block the title “Art Block.”
Recently, Jonathan began thinking about staging a retrospective of his work. He turns 60 in July and thought it would be a fun way to celebrate a milestone birthday. He knew he wanted to host it in or around Park Slope, so he jumped at the opportunity when Arts Gowanus expressed interest in partnering with him. “I think Arts Gowanus might be the biggest neighborhood arts organization in the city — it’s phenomenal, and to have them behind my show!” said Jonathan.
I talked to Johnny Thornton, Executive Director of Arts Gowanus, about why they’re excited to work with Jonathan on his retrospective. “Jonathan is such an important part of the arts community in Brooklyn — he is a creative powerhouse, and we are so excited to help Jonathan curate this momentous retrospective!” Johnny also said that Jonathan is generous with his time and knowledge, supporting and advocating for artists and the local art community, which aligns with Arts Gowanus’ core mission.
The retrospective is a collection of Jonathan’s works over the past four decades. Over 40 pieces will be displayed beginning June 19th through July 6th, including his early forehead work, fictitious animals, mythical rabbis, historical portraits, and more.
Jonathan told me he hopes people recognize the “narrative of being a forehead painter” from his retrospective. He painted his first forehead painting in 1985 and continues to explore this subject today. “In my mind, I'm on a very narrow path. My style changes, you can see, but there’s a line that’s very easy to follow when you see all my work.”
After the interview, Jonathan pulled a print from a large art storage drawer and asked me if I liked dogs (yes). While he signed the print, I looked around his studio. The pile of stained painter tools, the easels holding works-in-progress, the framed portrait of Bert hanging on the wall. Then, I imagined Jonathan working late at night in this space, surrounded by 40 years of his art, with the door propped open so neighbors know they can stop in to catch up.
The opening night of Jonathan’s retrospective is Thursday, June 19th, from 6PM to 10PM, at Gowanus Wharf, 240 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. All are welcome!
The gallery will be open every day from 2PM to 7PM (and by appointment) from June 20th through July 6th.
Congratulations on this remarkable milestone, Jonathan! Thank you for all you do for the Brooklyn arts community. Also, happy 60th birthday! xo
(Top two photos and last photo by Kelley MacDonald, Art Block photo by Andrea Miralles, photo of first forehead and retrospective graphic courtesy of Jonathan Blum.)
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Always a treat to read about the amazing talented people who live and work in Park Slope. Thanks for sharing about Jonathan Blum- a wonderful story about an amazing artist