“Beyond this revived metaphor, my devotion to the aesthetics of precision remains paramount, along with the creation of pictorial space through light and measure. This signals for me the constructed reality of a painting and simultaneously its potential for transformation. The beauty of this continuing endeavor, despite any conceits I might harbor to the contrary, is that I never really know what will transpire in a given work. Visual dynamics of all sorts can and do unfold as I pursue what might seem a narrow path. Although I begin with a general plan, the given variables shift and change in subtle and unpredictable ways as I proceed toward a resolution.” - Timothy App
Over the past five decades, Timothy App (b. 1947, Akron, OH) has established himself as a leading figure in contemporary American painting, contributing significantly to the field of abstract and geometric art. Known for his distinctive approach to geometric abstraction, App’s work is characterized by its complex visual tensions and profound exploration of the nature of painting itself. His innovative approach places him among the region’s most important living painters.
App received a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Kent State University in 1970, followed by a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University in 1974. His academic journey set the stage for a distinguished teaching career, beginning as an Assistant Professor of Art at Pomona College in Claremont, CA (1974-78), then as an Associate Professor of Art at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque (1978-90). In 1990, App joined the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore, where he served as a Professor of Art until his retirement in 2019. Throughout his career, App has earned numerous prestigious awards, including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Grants, the Trustee’s Award for Excellence in Teaching at MICA, and a nomination for the Richard C. Diebenkorn Fellowship. These honors underscore his influence in the academic and artistic communities.
Since the 1970s, App’s work has been widely exhibited both nationally and internationally, with solo exhibitions and participation in over 200 group exhibitions in the United States, Poland, and Japan. His work is held in numerous public, private, museum, and corporate collections, including those of the Albright-Knox Art Museum (Buffalo, NY), the Baltimore Museum of Art (MD), the Long Beach Museum of Art (CA), the Museum of Fine Arts (Santa Fe, NM), the Tamarind Institute (Albuquerque, NM), the Tucson Museum of Art (AZ), ArtCloud (Korea), and The Phillips Collection (Washington, DC).
App’s signature style is rooted in geometric abstraction, using form and structure to convey visual and metaphysical depth. His work often incorporates the motif of the portal, a recurring theme that represents a liminal space—a passage from one state or place to another. According to the artist, the portal’s visual power is rooted in its bi-lateral symmetry and its anthropometric presence. This form has appeared throughout his career, reflecting his ongoing contemplation of the metaphysical dimensions of painting. As App explains: “The metaphysical implications of this compelling form continue to haunt my thinking about painting.”
Through his unique combination of abstraction, geometric precision, and contemplative forms, Timothy App has made an indelible impact on the art world. His work continues to inspire audiences and fellow artists alike, reinforcing his legacy as a key figure in the evolution of contemporary painting.