Press Release:

A HUG FROM THE ART WORLD 515 WEST 19TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10011

A Hug From The Art World is thrilled to announce Hold On, It Won’t Last Long, Jon Burgerman’s first New York solo exhibition.

On view Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM through March 7th

I first knowingly encountered the visual language of Jon Burgerman in 2018, whilst putting my then three-year-old son to bed. He repeatedly requested I read Burgerman’s How to Eat Pizza nightly for almost six months straight. Those nightly bonding secessions left their mark. The character Burgerman gave those pieces of pizza simply by adding a couple of googly eyes and a squiggly mouth was immense. His visual language was firmly in my phantasia.

In 2022, my eyes lit up as he produced a giant hot dog pool float, designed to look like a balloon that looks like a hot dog. Pink in color and again with googly eyes, squiggly mouth and mustard drizzle yet this time with squiggly buttocks in addition. This was for sure form over function. The hot dog certainly floated but was completely impractical for a human to rest on, as one simply slid off the inflated cylindrical capsule. In reality, these were simply whimsical sculptures. I bought two.

There is a graphic and material element to Burgerman’s visual world and language, and he intentionally aims for there be a fluidity between his studio practice and broader accessible commercial endeavors. It’s no surprise to me that Burgerman has a large following in Asia. His practice resonates with the Japanese concept of Monozukuri. There is no hierarchy to objects within the Monozukuri philosophy, it’s the aim of achieving excellence that’s inherently important to the concept. Murakami’s language translates to a Louis Vuitton handbag and Nara’s to vinyl figurines or plush toys. The craftsmanship is impeccable and therefore hugely desirable, as much as an object for the home or a symbol to wear out. Burgerman has said he has always wanted his work to be equally enjoyed in the gallery and its gift shop. He does not see his work only existing within the pristine white walls of a gallery, he wants his work to live and engage with life, with the audience. Which is why it’s an equal thrill for him to see his work on random strangers’ phone cases or a t-shirt as it is in the immaculate surroundings of a gallery or museum.

For Burgerman, letting the work live is key and, in his view, it can only live through people. As a result of this principle, along with Burgerman’s visual language ability to transcend mediums, he has a massive international presence, having collaborated with multiple brands such as Samsung, Casetify, Van Leeuwen, Sesame Street, Crocs, Pop Mart, The New York Times, Apple, Kid Robot, the list goes on…

He takes on whole environments, hotels, shopping malls, store fronts, his large-scale sculptural characters have been erected on the top of buildings. In this regard, Keith Haring comes to mind. Keith’s canvas, if you like, was often the architecture of the city. From adorning buildings’ facades to the interiors of children hospitals, this is something Burgerman’s practice borrows and shares with Haring.

For Burgerman’s first New York solo exhibition he will be exhibiting twenty new paintings all made within the last three years. The concept and theme touches on family, togetherness, collective experience and the difficulties and challenges in expressing one’s own true emotions. What attracted me to this body of work is that’s it’s instantly recognizable as Jon Burgerman’s language but more melancholy than ever before. All of the characters are embracing but none of their eyes meet. It’s as if they are seeking recognition from another source, they appear to be longing for meaningful connection. They feel very of this moment.

He predominantly uses spray paint and oil stick on canvas and for this exhibition it’s no different. He says it’s what big kids use to scribble on the walls of their cities, to mark territory, share jokes and openly declare I am here. Well, Jon Burgerman is here at a Hug From The Art World. And yes, there will be hotdogs in one form or another. Come and see the show.

Adam Cohen, A Hug From The Art World, January 2026