ART MATTERS 8
Online Group Exhibition
2 – 16 December
1 new artist daily at 6pm CET
exclusively on: galerie-biesenbach.de, Instagram and Facebook
FINALE: Sunday 17 December
We announce the two winners of our online competition: At 5pm the 2nd prize will be awarded (online solo show) and at 6pm the 1st prize (gallery group show).
Following our 9th Open Artist Call, we launch our new ART MATTERS online group exhibition on Saturday 2 December at 6pm CET. From all applications received, we have selected 15 finalists, who will be presented with their submitted artworks on our website, Instagram and Facebook, one after the other until 16 December. Every day at 6pm CET, a new name and artwork will be unveiled so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole. The presentation of our Top 15 is rounded off by the "Honourable Mentions" in our daily Instagram stories, in which we acknowledge the works of a selected number of artists who just missed the final cut (45, to be exact, posted in our Instagram stories from 3 to 17 December, 3 per day and between noon and 6pm).
On Sunday 17 December at 5pm and at 6pm, we will again announce the two winners of our online competition: One will receive a solo online exhibition, the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne.
We invite you to visit ART MATTERS 8 regularly here on our website, Instagram and Facebook.
About our ART MATTERS series:
Just like with our first 8 open artist call projects since April 2020 (7 regular and one special edition in summer 2023), we were aware how versatile and eclectic this 9th online exhibition could be. But it is precisely the idea of an open call that still appeals to us: to invite artists from the most diverse directions to apply and submit their work. From this multitude of perspectives and positions, we look forward to get an exhibition that shows a field of tension but also a symbiotic dialogue between the individual artworks. An exhibition that matches the direction and philosophy of the gallery, but also brings something new to our programme.
You can check out our first 8 ART MATTERS shows further down.
PS: Our next open call will take place in March 2024…
THE 15 FINALISTS:
JAN JANSEN
Rückzug ins Eigenheim, 2021
oil on cotton
60 x 50 cm
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
Day 2: We are delighted to continue our 9th ART MATTERS online group exhibition today with the presentation of German artist JAN JANSEN (*1988, lives and works in Bergisch Gladbach). With his eye for beauty in ugliness, he transforms inconspicuous house facades, corrugated iron cladding, bridge pillars and transformer houses into exciting colour compositions. Read more about Jan Jansen and his work below.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received for our last Open Artist Call. Until 16 December, we will present these artists and their submitted works one after the other here on our website and on Instagram. Every day at 6pm CET we will unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 17 December we will announce the winners of our online competition: At 5pm the 2nd prize will be awarded (online solo show) and at 6pm the 1st prize (invitation to a group exhibition in our gallery).
ARTIST STATEMENT
I paint the things that I see every day, that surround and inspire me.
Contrary to all the "back to nature" trends, I deal with "utility architecture", a form of architecture that is familiar to everyone, to which everyone has or can relate. What interests me here is not an "ideal image" or a nostalgic moment, but a thoroughly documentary interest in the environment.
However, the places shown in my works are not real places but prototypes. My motifs are all invented, constructed and composed.
These monuments of urbanity, frozen in their arbitrariness and unlovedness, offer the possibility of seeing colour, composition etc. in a different context:
it is not "pure beauty" that plays a role here, but practicality and the resulting inconsistencies, for example the provisional nature, subsequently unprofessionally laid cables or repairs to the façade and the like.
I am interested in these inconsistencies. They give us information about the residents or owners of the house, about their values or preferences, their interests and also about our own. In this way, a corner where visitors to a drinking establishment relieve themselves can become a chronicle of our time. Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticising, but romanticising.
In terms of narrative form and structure, I orientate myself on short stories. So I have adopted the genre principles/characteristics of these; for example:
- The story should be able to be read in one act.
- The message of the text is not obvious at first glance and much has to be deduced by the reader by reading between the lines and linking actions (iceberg model).
- The literary design is usually based on a hidden ambiguity or ambivalence: the everyday event described refers to more complex problems that can often be inferred via metaphors and leitmotifs.
- An open ending, often with a punch line, prompts the reader to reflect on the events, because questions remain unanswered; the reader has to read between the lines.
- In contrast, judgements, interpretations and solutions are largely avoided.
CV
Jan Jansen
born 1988 in Cologne, DE
lives and works in Bergisch Gladbach, DE
www.jan-jansen-art.de
@janjansenart
Education
2017
- Diploma in "Fine Arts“ (ABK Stuttgart)
2016
- Completion of 1st state examination / change to the diploma programme "Fine Arts" (ABK Stuttgart)
2011
- Specialised class for "Free Painting" with Prof. Peter Chevalier at the State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart
2010
- Studies at the State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart under Prof. Volker Lehnert
Awards/Scholarships
2022
- Scholarship of the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture Baden-Würrtemberg, for the series: Intermezzo, Impressions between the crises
2021
- Scholarship from the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and Culture for the series: Carnival ban despite compulsory masks
2016
- Academy Prize of the State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart for the Chevalier class
2015
- Winner of the first prize of the 36th International Takifuji Art Awards, Tokyo, Japan
Various
Member of the Künstlerbund Baden-Württemberg e.V. since 2019
Selected Exhibitions (since 2018)
2023
- „ART MATTERS 8“, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (G, online)
- „Interessante Zeiten“, Galerie Kunstbezirk, Gustav-Siegle-Haus, Stuttgart (G)
- „Konsens“, Galerie im Bürgerhaus der Stadt Sulzfeld (G)
- „Blick Fang, Verbotenes Terrain“, Kunsthaus Kaufbeuren, Kaufbeuren (G)
2022
- „Kausalität ist Verhandlungsache“, Kunstverein Wagenhalle, Tor 10, Stuttgart (G)
(Dieses Projekt wird gefördert durch ein Stipendium des Ministeriums für Wissenschft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Würrtemberg.)
- „Karnevalsverbot trotz Maskenpflicht“ Galerie Schacher 2, Böblingen (S)
(Dieses Projekt wird gefördert durch ein Stipendium des Ministeriums für Wissenschft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Würrtemberg)
2021
- „Harte Zeiten“ Galerie Miejska, Bydgoszcz (Polen)/Port 25, Mannheim (G)
- „In Abgrenzung zu Ungegenständlichem und Gegenstandslosen“ Galerie Microssage/ Galerie Hausgeburt, Stuttgart (G)
- „Stadtwerk“ Galerie Schacher Raum für Kunst, Stuttgart (S)
2020
- „The Dark Side of the Room”,Galerie Schacher Raum für Kunst, PR, Stuttgart (G)
- „In aller Stille“, Galerie Kunstbezierk, Gustav-Siegle-Haus, Stuttgart (G)
- „Neu(n)“, Galerie Schacher, Stuttgart (G)
2019
- „Kunst auf Abwegen“ Rathaus Nagold/Ahape Design, Nagold (G & S)
- „Arbeiten der Klasse Chevalier zum 250. Jubiläum der Mondlandung“, Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart, Neubau 2 (G)
- „Speicherplätze“, Galerie Schacher Raum für Kunst, PR, Stuttgart (G)
- „Unterwegs wohin?“ Sparkasse Karlsruhe (G)
2018
- Jan Jansen, Annette Meincke-Nagy – „Faces/Fassaden = architektonische Gemälde und figürliche Skulpturen“, Galerie Schacher Raum für Kunst, Stuttgart (S)
- „Sach mal“ Jung + Gegenständlich, Rotes Haus, Meersburg (G)
- 6. Eb Dietzsch Kunstpreis für Malerei, Hauptstelle der Volksbank Jena Gera (G)
- „Ist die Welt aus den Fugen geraten?“, Sparkasse Karlsruhe (G)
Catalogues
- „Harte Zeiten/ Cieskie Czasy“, ISBN 978-3-96912-158-0, 2023
- „SACH MAL! jung + gegenständlich“, ISBN 978-3-945396-11-7, 2018
- „Eb Dietzsch Kunstpreis für Malerei“, ISBN 978-3-931635-95-4, 2018
- „Gopea 2015“, ISBN 978-3-86206-520-2, 2015
- „rumkugeln bubespitzle kingsroad“, herausgegeben durch Horvath und Partners, 2014
Selected Public Collections
- Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart
- Kreissparkasse Esslingen
PAUL AHL
Dispersion 94, 2023
concrete, pigment
98,5 x 28 x 8,5 cm
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
Kick-off: We begin our 9th ART MATTERS Online Group Exhibition with the presentation of the German artist PAUL AHL (*1983, lives and works in Heilbronn), whose concrete wall sculpture oscillates between lightness and heaviness, softness and hardness in an exciting interplay of material, form and colour. Read more about Paul Ahl and his work below.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received for our last Open Artist Call. Until 16 December, we will present these artists and their submitted works one after the other here on our website and on Instagram. Every day at 6pm CET we will unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 17 December we will announce the winners of our online competition: At 5pm the 2nd prize will be awarded (online solo show) and at 6pm the 1st prize (invitation to a group exhibition in our gallery).
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work is an oscillation between intention and coincidence. Coincidence, accident, mistake is a big part of the working process.
I appropriate everyday, forgotten and abandoned materials and things that do not initially belong in an art context. Usually of no great material value, the things had a specific functional task, were used in the truest sense - a process of transformation. Intuitive experimentation and an element of surprise.
I visualise existing traces that refer to original contexts. Not only something ordinary, purely functional, sometimes even seemingly worthless, sometimes repulsive, becomes something that can be experienced aesthetically and sensually. Our perception of the everyday world may also be expanded in its visualisation.
Art needs a level of disgustingness. Art is an expression of vitality, of life.
CV
Paul Ahl
born 1983 in Heilbronn, DE
lives and works as a freelance artist in Freiburg since 2014
Education
2021
- Teaching assignment, free working on stone, Edith Maryon Kunstschule Freiburg
2010-14
- Sculpture studies, Edith Maryon Kunstschule Freiburg
2007-10
- working as a stonemason
2004-07
- Apprenticeship as a stonemason and stone sculptor
Scholarships/Awards
2021
- Project grant for the promotion of artistic practice, MWK Baden-Württemberg
- Scholarship E-LAB Urban Summer, E-Werk Freiburg
Selected Exhibitions
2023
- ART MATTERS 8, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (online)
- BLASS BIS HEITER, Projektraum Rochade, Karlsruhe
- URBAN GARDEN, Kunstraum K634, Cologne (S)
- VOM FLIEGEN UND FALLEN, Galerie Marek Kralewski, Freiburg (S)
2022
- POST-IT, Pförtnerhaus, Off Space, Freiburg
- Deep Moments, Regionale 23, Kunst Raum Riehen, Riehen, CH
- WECHSELWIRKUNG, GeorgScholzHaus, Kunstforum Waldkirch
- Daraus die Essenz, im Rahmen von Open Art Freiburg, Destillerie Onsen, Freiburg (S)
- KOMMERZTM _ DER GARTEN EDEN, Galerie Marek Kralewski, Freiburg
2021
- Finale Regionale_Pantone Classic Blue, Kunstverein Heilbronn
- SPANNUNGSFELD, Museum "Altes Rathaus" Leingarten
2020
- DIE TRAUMLANDE, Galerie Marek Kralewski, Freiburg
- VORRATSKAMMER, Künstlerhaus Heilbronn
- AUF:GABE, DELPHI SPACE, Freiburg
2019
- SPLENDID ISOLATION – NOT IN OUR NAME., Regionale 20, Kunst Raum Riehen, Riehen, CH
- Positions Berlin Art Fair (Selected Positions), Galerie Marek Kralewski, Flughafen Tempelhof, Berlin
- art Karlsruhe, Galerie Marek Kralewski, Karlsruhe
- Kunststein, Mojäk Galerie, Heilbronn (S)
- UMVERPACKUNG, Galerie Marek Kralewski, Freiburg (S)
2018
- Hybrid, depot.K e.V. Kunstprojekt Freiburg (S)
- Black And White (And Red All Over): Part III, Organ KritischerKunst, Berlin
- SCOPE Basel, Galerie ArtHelix I SHIM Brooklyn, Basel
- Was bleibt, im Rahmen von Open Art Freiburg, Freiburg (S)
2017
- ÜBER LICHT UND SCHATTEN, Künstlerhaus Heilbronn
- UND#9, Dragoner Kaserne, Karlsruhe
2016
- Spuren finden. Zeichen setzen., Regionale17, Kunsthaus L6, Freiburg
- Bruchstelle, Museum "Altes Rathaus" Leingarten (S)
- #ERDE., Kunsthistorisches Institut, Bonn
- Coming home with art, Complex23, Heilbronn (S)
2015
- Donaueschinger Regionale 7, Donaueschingen
2014
- DREIRAUM, Kunstverein March, March-Hugstetten
- „was hält uns.“ Maria Magdalena Kirche und Glashaus, Freiburg
Selected Collections
2022
- PEAC, Paul Ege Art Collection, Freiburg
2020
- Regierungspräsidium Freiburg - städtische Sammlung Freiburg
2019
- SAMMLUNG JAKOB, Freiburg
2016
- Regierungspräsidium Freiburg - städtische Sammlung Freiburg
Works in private ownership and private collections
________________
ARCHIVE
ART MATTERS SUMMER 2023
LANDSCAPES
Online Group Exhibition
19 – 27 August 2023 – EXTENDED UNTIL 10 SEPTEMBER!
1 new artist daily at 6pm CET
exclusively on: galerie-biesenbach.de, Instagram and Facebook
FINALE: Monday 28 August 6pm CET
On the final day, we will announce the winner of our online competition: He or she will be invited to participate in a group exhibition at our gallery in Cologne.
The first Special Summer Edition of our ART MATTERS series follows our recent 8th Open Artist Call, with which for the first time we set a theme for submissions: LANDSCAPES. In selecting the artists and their works, we did not necessarily focus on classic, figurative landscape depictions. And so we are also showing abstract, almost minimalist works that often only convey the idea of a landscape and make the exhibition an eclectic overall presentation.
Following our 8th Open Artist Call (from 29 July to 13 August), we are launching our new ART MATTERS online group exhibition on Saturday 19 August at 6pm CET. From all the applications we received on the theme of LANDSCAPES, we have selected 9 finalists who will be presented one after the other with their submitted artworks on our website, Instagram and Facebook until 27 August. Every day at 6pm, a new name and artwork will be unveiled, slowly building the exhibition into a whole. The presentation of our Top 9 is rounded off by "Honourable Mentions" in our daily Instagram stories, in which we pay tribute to the work of a select number of artists who narrowly missed making it to the finals (27 to be exact, posted from 20 to 28 August, 3 per day and between 12 and 6pm).
On Monday 28 August at 6pm, the final will be held and we will announce the winner of our online competition: He or she will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne in 2024. Here, too, the theme will be LANDSCAPES.
We cordially invite you to visit our ART MATTERS SPECIAL SUMMER EDITION regularly here on our website, Instagram and Facebook.
About our ART MATTERS series:
As with our past 7 Open Artist Calls since April 2020, we were aware of how diverse and eclectic this 8th online exhibition could become; also because with LANDSCAPES we have specified a theme for the first time. But it was precisely the idea of an open call that appealed to us again: inviting artists from the most diverse directions to apply and submit their work. From this multitude of perspectives and positions, we hope for an exhibition that shows a field of tension, but also a symbiotic dialogue between the individual works of art. An exhibition that fits the orientation and philosophy of the gallery, but also brings something new to our programme.
You can check out our first 6 ART MATTERS shows further down.
PS: Our next Open Call will take place in mid-November 2023... then again without a thematic specification!
FINALS DAY: Monday 28 August
ERIC KELLER: Winner ART MATTERS Summer 2023
Congratulations to ERIC KELLER: The German artist (born 1985, lives and works in Dresden) is the winner of our ART MATTERS Summer 2023 competition with his painting “Einfahrt" (“Driveway“, 2022, oil on wood, 60 x 85 cm)!
We cordially invite him to participate with a selection of his works in a group exhibition on the theme LANDSCAPES at our gallery in Cologne in September 2024!
Eric Keller's pictures show places, cities and landscapes, sometimes also people and portraits. However, it is not only about copying a place or a person, but also about observing experienced moments, moods and processes. Keller transfers his visual memories into a painterly fiction, set in a placeless sphere full of moods and feelings. We are fascinated by the almost eerie atmosphere in his work, by the earthy colours and tones of his landscapes, which often seem strangely misty. Reminiscent of dream or film images, his works are certainly not optimistic, but the stories they unfold are very compelling in a peculiar way. Keller's images are ultimately fiction that show us an emotional way of perceiving reality.
"[...] The more intensively one looks, the better one's eyes grasp the transparent, vibrating and iridescent richness of Keller's colour fabrics. Beyond representational depictions, his paintings are also manifestos of what can be achieved with the means of painting. But Keller does not work conceptually. He does not need a theoretical underpinning and does not load his paintings with calculated references. Intuition and the inner visual memory play an important role. Unlike most representational painters today, he does not use photographs as models. "Everything I paint I have seen in real life," Keller explains. "But I don't capture anything in the landscapes and architectures, nor do I take photographs. At that moment on site, I don't yet know that a painting will come out of it." An unconscious saving. When painting, Keller returns to the spaces and topographical situations in his imagination. But he must have actually experienced all the impressions. "Otherwise they don't become usable for me." [...]" (Excerpt from Remembrance of the Present: Sebastian Preuss on the work of Eric Keller)
ERIC KELLER
ARTIST STATEMENT
Reminder of the Present
von Sebastian Preuss
"These pictures have a pull that one cannot really explain at first. Nothing exciting is shown: deserted streets leading somewhere into a placeless topography, lonely benches, parks and rest areas, inconspicuous utility buildings, railway crossings, bus stops, a garage yard or a clubhouse, again and again the faded walls in abandoned cultural buildings from GDR times. Occasionally one or two young people stray into these inhospitable landscapes, and then you ask yourself: what are they actually doing here? Even the painterly means are not aimed at spectacular effects. On the contrary, the colouring is muted and pale, everything tone in tone, the faded violet, the earthy colours, lots of beige and yellow and brown. In addition, the pictorial world is covered by a gossamer blur. Everything seems somehow detached, unspectacular, without highlights. Nothing happens that could quickly overwhelm us.
But it is precisely in this strange mood, which cannot easily be put into words, in this aura somewhere between the banality of everyday life and unreal magic, that the great charm of Eric Keller's paintings lies. Many of them seem like frozen stills from a melancholic road movie, and one does well to engage with the quiet drive. Patience pays off, because the longer you look at the pictures, the more their layers of content and aesthetic depth reveal themselves. Then the motifs in their supposed ordinariness and "normality" turn out to be something quite extraordinary, namely as such sophisticated compositions that nothing in them is interchangeable or conceivable elsewhere. They are the perfect moments of a memory work that picks out of myriads of visual experiences those visual grains that can trigger an extraordinary work of art.
Keller's painting style is also a quiet sensation. The often large areas of colour are only monochrome at first glance; in reality they have a multifaceted inner life. They oscillate in their nuances, develop in the sky of the landscapes from dull grey to subtly glowing orange, from yellowish blue to pink, on the streets to darkened asphalt or brightened violet. By repeatedly painting over his formations, Keller reveals refined layers of depth beneath the surfaces. Thus each colour is composed of different colours, layered on top of each other, translucent in thin streaks, sometimes stringy, sometimes fine-grained, sometimes diffusely dissolved as if in an acid bath. Keller confidently demonstrates his skills by looking into disused cultural buildings and inns, mostly in his native Saxony. There he is fascinated by the faded wall colours that are in the process of disappearing. What the course of history and the dissolving power of nature brought about in the real buildings leads Keller to create a particularly complex painting on canvas. In his work, the depictions of decay become washed-out or torn, cloudy or trickling abstractions - masterly cabinet pieces in which one wonders again and again whether a wall or a picture within a picture is actually meant here.
The more intensively one looks, the better one's eyes grasp the transparent, vibrating and iridescent richness of Keller's colour fabrics. Beyond representational depictions, his paintings are also manifestos of what can be achieved with the means of painting. But Keller does not work conceptually. He does not need a theoretical underpinning and does not load his paintings with calculated references. Intuition and the inner visual memory play an important role. Unlike most representational painters today, he does not use photographs as models. "Everything I paint I have seen in real life," Keller explains. "But I don't capture anything in the landscapes and architectures, nor do I take photographs. At that moment on site, I don't yet know that a painting will come out of it." An unconscious saving. When painting, Keller returns to the spaces and topographical situations in his imagination. But he must have actually experienced all the impressions. "Otherwise they don't become usable for me."
It is a memory that comes from the present. And a real today, because most of the impressions Keller has transferred into his pictorial cosmos since 2011 were experienced in Saxony. This is where he was born in Grimma, where he received his first artistic inspiration from a Leipzig painter at the age of 19, before he began studying at the Nuremberg Academy. Much more formative was his time at the Dresden Art Academy. "That's where we painted," says Keller succinctly. He finished his studies in Leipzig. Now, one could easily refer to the figurative tradition that lived on after the end of the GDR or use one of the meaningless labels such as the "New Leipzig School". But that does not get to the heart of Keller's art. He does not deal with either "Dresden" or "Leipzig" currents in a formative way, even though interiors and architecture are often found there. Keller's rapturous brushstrokes, the auratic use of colour, the implied and shadowy quality, all this can just as easily be compared with the Belgian Luc Tuymans, to name but one example. And a work like Keller's "Schönbach", which shows nothing but a white-cubic building on thin pillars à la Corbusier against a southern glowing sky, could also be spontaneously attributed to a Californian artist. Yet the inspiration goes back to a kitchen studio on a Saxon motorway. But localisable details - even where they actually exist - are not essential in Keller's work. He transfers his visual memories into a painterly fiction, set in a placeless sphere full of moods and feelings. Even if the visual fund has a lot to do with Saxony and some with the legacy of the GDR, in method it is not "East German" painting (32 years after the fall of the Wall, this categorisation should be thrown on the dustbin of history anyway). It is a painting of today."
CV
Eric Keller
born 1985 in Grimma, DE
lives and work in Dresden, DE
www.erickeller.net
@_eric_keller
Education
2006-08
- Studied Fine Arts at the AdBK Nuremberg with Prof. Rolf-Gunter Dienst
2008-14
- Studied painting at the HfBK Dresden with Prof. Elke Hopfe and Prof. Ralf Kerbach
2016-18
- Master Student at the HGB Leipzig with Prof. Annette Schröter
Solo Exhibitions
2023
- »Ginstergrund«, Galerie Poll, Berlin
2022
- »spellbound«, Galerie Leuenroth, Frankfurt/Main
2021
- »Eric Keller – Malerei«, Schaulager der Galerie Poll, Berlin
2020
- »Nachsaison«, Galerie Poll, Berlin
- »Traces« (mit Thoas Fißler), AG Galerie Schwerin
2019
- »Interference« (mit Katrína Dubovská), Galerie Stephanie Kelly, Dresden
- »paravent« (mit Carolin Israel), plan.d., Düsseldorf
2018
- »Stille Drift«, Galerie Poll, Berlin
- »HALALI« (mit Michael Klipphahn), Museum Schloss Klippenstein, Radeberg
2017
- »Rupfen in fremden Gärten« (mit Michael Klipphahn), Kunztraum, Dresden
- »Rücksitz Cinema«, Galerie Leuenroth, Frankfurt/Main
2015
- »Ein Date am Kanal«, Galerie Leuenroth, Frankfurt/Main
- Eric Keller, galerie baer, Dresden
- Präsentation des Werkes »Talsperre« im Rahmen der VA »Begegnung der Künste«, Lichthof Albertinum, Dresden
2014
- »Novemberkind«, galerie baer, Dresden
2013
- »Eric Keller/Simon Rosenthal - Malerei und Zeichnung«, Galerie Poll, Berlin
2012
- »Freizeittreff Fortschritt«, Galerie Irrgang, Leipzig
- »Von Nah und Fern« (mit Carolin Israel), Galerie der HfBK Dresden
2011
- »Andreas Wachter und Eric Keller«, Galerie Irrgang, Berlin
Group Exhibitions
2023
- »ART MATTERS SUMMER 2023«, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (online)
2022
- Gruppenausstellung, Galerie Wellemeyer, Plau am See
- »Speed Dating«, Motorenhalle Dresden
- »Speed Dating«, Theatre des Exposition/Palais des Beaux Arts, Paris
2021
- »Von der Kunst, Kunst zu fördern«, Städtische Galerie Dresden
- »Kunstpreis Kunst, Psyche und Gesundheit – Shortlist 2021«, FBZ, Ruhr-Universität, Bochum
2020
- »Existenz Kapitel II: Spuren«, Oktogon, HfBK Dresden
- »Ereignis Malerei«, Tapetenwerk Leipzig
- »Im Gehäuse – Atelierdarstellungen Leipziger Künstler*innen«, Kunsthalle des Sparkasse Leipzig
2019
- »Neuzugänge zeitgenössischer Kunst im Kunstfonds 2019«, Vertretung des Freistaates Sachsen beim Bund, Berlin
- »Wonderwall«, Galerie Leuenroth, Frankfurt/Main
- »Win Win«, Halle 14, Leipzig
- »In Memoriam – Hieronymus Wachter«, Galerie Irrgang, Leipzig
- »Deutsche Heimat«, Galerie Holger John, Dresden
- »KONVOI«, Galerie Leuenroth, Frankfurt/Main
2018
- »Ursulasalon«, Galerie Ursula Walter, Dresden
- »Collisione«, LAZ Galerie, Zürich, CH
- »KONVOI«, Galerie Rothamel, Erfurt
- »M18«, HGB Leipzig
- »Existenz Kapitel 1: Skizzen«, Oktogon, HfBK Dresden
- »Aphrodisiac«, Galerie Evelyn Drewes, Hamburg
- »Eberhard-Dietzsch-Kunstpreis«, Volksbank Gera
- Rundgang HGB Leipzig
2017
- »Liebelei«, objekt klein a, Dresden
- »The human aspect I + II – zeitgenössische figurative Positionen«, Barlachhalle Hamburg
- »Mitten im Mai :: Malerei«, Kunstverein Sulzfeld
- »The human aspect II – zeitgenössische figurative Positionen«, Galerie Ursula Walter, Dresden
- »Klasse Klasse!!«, Tapetenwerk, Leipzig
- »Seitenwechsel«, Galerie Leuenroth, Frankfurt/Main
- Rundgang HGB Leipzig
- »Stadt-Land-Raum – Sammlung Zander-Schürer«, Kunztraum, Dresden
2016
- Gruppenshow, Galerie Leuenroth, Frankfurt/Main
- »Markt«, Kunztraum, Dresden
- »Ich dachte, Sie wären nur ein armer Schlucker!«, KOMMUNALKA, Leipzig
- »no3 Positur!«, Galerie FF15, Leipzig
- »Dresden«, Galerie Hoffschild, Lübeck
- »My Heart´s in the Highlands«, Galerie junge zeitgenössische Kunst, Chemnitz
- »Na dosah/Greifbar nah«, Kunstmuseum Galerie Cheb, CZ
- »Na dosah/Greifbar nah«, Kunstmuseum Galerie Plsen, CZ
2015
- Bilder im Filmprojekt »24 Wochen« von Anne Zohra Berrached
2014
- »Santa Cloud«, galerie baer, Dresden
- »okay.whiteout«, Delikatessenhaus Leipzig
- »Startpoint Prize«, DOX, Prag
- »Postcards from The East«, APT Gallery, London, GB
- »Diplomausstellung«, HfBK Dresden
- »Mensch werde wesentlich«, KV Freunde Aktueller Kunst, Zwickau
- »Dada TY«, HELLERAU – Europäisches Zentrum der Künste, Dresden
- »Landschaften«, Galerie Poll, Berlin
- »inner cities«, Galerie Irrgang, Berlin
2013
- »Wintercollective II«, Galerie Irrgang, Leipzig
- »All Star Cast«, galerie baer, Dresden
- »Hype«, geh8, Dresden
2012
- »Addition«, galerie baer, Dresden
- »Frühwerk«, F14, Dresden
- »Keine Bilder ohne Liebe«, Galerie Poll, Berlin
- »Kabinettausstellung«, Galerie Irrgang, Leipzig
2011
- »Frühjahrssalon«, Galerie ZanderKasten, Dresden
- »Wintercollective«, Galerie Irrgang, Leipzig
- »Kellerausstellung« der Gruppe ZWANZIGZEHN, Dresden
2010
- »Seminar«, Galerie Irrgang, Leipzig
Public Collections
- Sammlung zeitgenössischer Kunst der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Bonn
- Städtische Galerie Dresden
- Kulturstiftung des Freistaates Sachsen
- Galerie Neue Meister der Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen Dresden
- Ostsächsische Sparkasse Dresden
- PPZK Deutschland
- Kunstsammlung der Roland-Graefe-Stiftung
Bibliography
- Galerie Poll (Hrsg.): Eric Keller – Nachsaison; Berlin; 2021
- Eva und Lothar C. Poll (Hrsg.): Keine Bilder ohne Liebe; Druckerei Conrad; Berlin; 2012; ISBN: 978-3-931759-32-2
- Galerie Irrgang GbR Leipzig/Berlin (Hrsg.): Eric Keller – Freizeittreff Fortschritt; Leipzig 2012
- Diplomkatalog, HfBK Dresden, 2014
- Torsten Klaus: Ödnis und Fülle; in Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten, 16.10.2014
- Katja Lindenau: Die Wärme des November; in SAX 10/14, S. 27
- Liane Wendt: Auf der Suche nach der inneren Ruhe – Eric Keller; in kunnst Sommer 2016, S. 14 bis 21
- Wilhelm Werthern: Eric Keller – Künstler des Monats; in LE MONDE diplomatique, Deutsche Ausgabe, Mai 2016
- Kulturkreis Sulzfeld/Galerie Leuenroth (Hrsg.): Mitten im Mai; Lubok Verlag; Leipzig 2017; ISBN: 978-3-945111-36-9
- Karl Kowalke (Hrsg.): Liebelei; Dresden 2017
- Patrick-Daniel Baer: Rupfen in fremden Gärten – Eric Keller und Michael Klipphahn; www.cybersax.de
- Patrick-Daniel Baer: Der Laptop, der auf einer Bank sitzt; in Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten, 28.05.2018
- Christiane Meixner: Urbane Romantik – Eric Keller in der Galerie Poll; in Tagesspiegel, 23.07.2018
- Eva und Lothar C. Poll (Hrsg.): Abenteuer Kunst – 50 Jahre Galerie Poll; Katalogdruck-Berlin; Berlin; 2018; ISBN: 978-3-931-759-40-7
- Annette Schröter (Hrsg.): KONVOI – Annette Schröter und Meisterklasse; Pöge Druck, Leipzig 2018
- Patrick-Daniel Baer: Der Heimat-Hirsch; in Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten, 28.03.2019
- Patrick-Daniel Baer: Interference; in SAX, November 2019
- Patrick-Daniel Baer: Hybride Verbindung; in DNN, 21.11.2019
- Echo Licht, Ausgabe 2: Über das Feiern, Kulturheldenradio, 2020
- Berliner Abendschau, rbb, 31.10.2020
- Bund Bildender Künstler Leipzig e.V. (Hrsg.): Ereignis Malerei 2020, Leipzig 2020
- Julia Christian: State of the Art oder Kunstkränzchen – Oskar Rink im Gespräch mit Eric Keller; in Stadtluft Dresden, Bookzin 5, S. 60-63, Dresden 2020, ISBN 978-3-86530-264-9
Our final TOP 9 is complete! Thank you for participating in our online group exhibition (from top left): Lorenz Bögle, Hanna Kaminski, Luis Zimmermann, Maximilian Welz, Lars Unger, Christo Daskaltsis, Eric Keller, Jean/Yohanan Delaunay-Israël & Marc Fiegle.
Check out our last 9 posts further down or on Instagram to find out everything about ART MATTERS Summer 2023 and the 9 artists/artworks we selected via our latest open call!
And check back later at 6pm when we announce the winner of our online competition from the 9 finalists. Today is finals day and we reveal the name of the artist who will be invited to participate in a group exhibition on the theme of LANDSCAPES at our gallery in Cologne.
About ART MATTERS SUMMER 2023:
The first Special Summer Edition of our ART MATTERS series followed our recent 8th Open Artist Call, with which for the first time we set a theme for submissions: LANDSCAPES. In selecting the artists and their works, we did not necessarily focus on classic, figurative landscape depictions. And so we also present abstract, almost minimalist works that often only convey the idea of a landscape and make the exhibition an eclectic overall presentation.
Also for this latest ART MATTERS round, it was not easy for us to choose only 9 artists for our online exhibition from the many great submissions we received in response to our 8th open call. There are so many remarkable things out there, but we cannot show them all in our gallery. The ART MATTERS series allows us to present many artistic positions from around the world to a wider online audience two or three a year for about two weeks.
Many thanks to all of you who follow this project, some of you for 8 issues already, and many thanks also to all participating artists, especially to our TOP 9 and the 27 Honourable Mentions (there are still some to be presented on our Instagram Stories today!).
The works are available through our gallery until 10 September: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
The 9 Finalists:
MARC FIEGLE
Tjarneby, 2023
acrylic, oil stick and sand on canvas
70 x 100 cm
On day 9 of our 8th ART MATTERS online group exhibition, we are happy to present the last of our 9 finalists, German artist MARC FIEGLE (born 1991, lives and works in Hamburg). Fiegle creates landscapes in his head: the imaginary sceneries are influenced by his own personal experiences. Read more about Marc Fiegle and his work below.
From the applications received for our last Open Artist Call – on the theme LANDSCAPES – we have selected a total of 9 finalists. Until 27 August, we will present these 9 artists and their submitted works one after the other here on our website and on Instagram. Every day at 6pm CET, we will present a different name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Monday 28 August at 6pm, we will announce the winner of our online competition: she or he will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne.
KÜNSTLER-STATEMENT
When Marc Fiegle talks about his works, he always refers to landscapes or places. He himself describes painting as the intuitive blending of impressions he has experienced in a wide variety of places. With this process, he creates new landscapes that are influenced by his own personal experiences. The countless shades, shapes and textures of nature inspire him to work with different materials such as acrylic, oil, charcoal and sand. By using all these materials, he creates the same tension in his paintings as a rock polished smooth by sand in the harsh, harsh desert.
The work "Tjarneby" is part of a series created immediately after a trip through Scandinavia. Marc Fiegle gives his works their fictitious titles after they are created. If the work were a place, it would be called that.
CV
Marc Fiegle
born 1991, DE
lives and works in Hamburg, DE
Education
2011-12
- Lake Constance Art School
2013-17
- Communication Design Studies, Trier University of Applied Sciences
2015-16
- Erasmus Programme Design, IADE - Creative University, Lisbon
Selected Exhibitions
2023
- Group Show „ART MATTERS: SUMMER 2023", Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (online)
- Solo Show „Places“, Hamburg
2022
- Open Studio, Atelier Altona
2017
- Final Exhibition, Communication Design, Trier University of Applied Sciences
JEAN/YOHANAN DELAUNAY-ISRAEL
acrylic on canvas
210 x 210 cm
It is day 8 of our 8th ART MATTERS online group exhibition and we are pleased to present the French artist JEAN/YOHANAN DELAUNAY-ISRAEL (born 1955 in Bressuire (Deux-Sèvres), FR, lives and works in Jerusalem). His painting evokes the concrete horizon of an abstract landscape; the yellow/green tones take up the colours of nature, like reminiscences of landscape impressions. Read more about Jean/Yohanan Delaunay-Israël and his work below.
From the applications received for our last Open Artist Call – on the theme LANDSCAPES – we have selected a total of 9 finalists. Until 27 August, we will present these 9 artists and their submitted works one after the other here on our website and on Instagram. Every day at 6pm CET, we will present a different name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Monday 28 August at 6pm, we will announce the winner of our online competition: she or he will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne.
ARTIST STATEMENT
The "Compositions" series is a group of paintings and watercolours presented in a diamond shape, echoing the works of Mondrian and Max Bill on this form. Horizontal, they evoke the concrete horizon of an abstract landscape, vertical, the symmetry of the figure.
They are constructed by superimposing the drawing of two inverted orthogonal planes, symmetrical in relation to the centre of the rhombus, thus presenting the back and front of the same plane. The balance oscillates between the diagonals of the rhombus and the lines of the composition, between symmetry and asymmetry.
This return to painting after my studies as a psychiatric nurse was marked by a desire to break away from the impulsive expressionism of my student work. The extreme dilution of the layers neutralises the immediacy of the effects of colour and gesture, stripping painting of its attributes.
Close to the practice of Ryman or Bishop, this stage was decisive in structuring my working process, opening the way to what would become a singular path in abstraction, culminating in the "Prémices" series.
The yellows and greens of „Composition 11“, like the pinks, blues and earths of the other works in the series, draw on the colours of nature, like reminiscences of landscape impressions.
CV
Jean/Yohanan Delaunay-Israël
born 1955 in Bressuire (Deux-Sèvres), FR
lives and works in Jerusalem, IL
www.delaunay-israel.com
@jeanyohanandelaunay
Education
1974-76
- Institute of Visual Arts, Orléans
1976-79
- National School of Fine Arts- Villa ARSON, Nice
1980-83
- School of psychiatric Nurse, G Daumezon Hospital, Fleury les Aubrais
1990
- School of Health Executives, St Anne Hospital, Paris
1999
- EHESP School of Public Health, Rennes
Various
1991
- Scholarship from the Head Office for Cultural Affairs in Région Centre
2015
- Aid to Olim Artists: mention “particularly excellent“, Ministry of Allya and Integration
Solo Exhibitions
2022
- “Ici et maintenant“, Delaunay-Israël Studio, Kfar Etzion
2021
- "Lishma" Oeuvres sur papier 2018/2021, Delaunay-Israël Studio, Kfar Etzion
2019
- "Epiphanies hiérosolymitaines“, Delaunay-Israël Studio, Kfar Etsion
2017
- “News from past year“, Delaunay-Israël Studio, Jerusalem
2016
- “Open doors“, Delaunay-Israël Studio, Jerusalem
2011
- “Le Pays Où le Ciel est Toujours Bleu“, Gallery, Orleans
2006
- Municipal Gallery, Jerusalem
1998
- “Les Temps Modernes“, Gallery, Orleans
1997
- “Le Carré“, Gallery, Lille
- Louis Joseph Soulas School, Bazoches les Gallerandes (Loiret)
1996
- Contemporary Art Center, Carré Saint-Vincent, Orleans
1995
- Maurice Genevoix House, Saint Denis de l‘Hôtel (Loiret)
1992
- Gallery Louis Guilloux School, Orleans
1989
- Contemporary Art Center, Carré Saint-Vincent, Orleans
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023
- “ART MATTERS SUMMER 2023“, Online Group Exhibition, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne
2022
- "Nature and landscape in Israeli contemporary Art“, curator: Dr Avivit Agam Dali Phd, Eshkol Pais Ramat-Gan
2021
- “Aliénation“, Virtual Exhibition, curator: Dr Avivit Agam Dali PhD
2020
- “Abstract“, Virtual Exhibition, curator: Dr Avivit Agam Dali PhD
2017
- “Simple means to plenty: Drawings“, Miklat Leoumanout, Jerusalem
2016
- “New wave / New view“, Harmony Hall, The Cultures’ Center, Jerusalem
- Menahem Begin Center, Jerusalem
- Ephrat Gallery, Tel-Aviv
- Cultural Center, Richon Le Tsion
2007
- “Berechit“, Musée Hechal Shlomo, Jerusalem
2002
- “Dialogues“: Delaunay/Mazuy, Vierzon
2001
- "Etats d’Arts/ Etats d’Âmes“, Espace Malraux, Joue les Tours
2000
- Michel Ronfard School, Olivet
- “Le pays où le ciel est toujours bleu“, Ipso Facto Gallery, Nantes
1995
- “Sketchbooks“, Contemporary Art Center, Carré Saint-Vincent, Orleans
1987
- Salon Grands et Jeunes d’Aujourd’hui, Paris
- Salon de Montrouge, Montrouge
- Salon Révélation, Paris
1986
- Salon Grands et Jeunes d’Aujourd’hui, Paris
Special Projects and Activities
2000-15
- Cultural Manager at G. Daumezon Mental Health Hospital, Fleury les Aubrais, France
Ø Programming cultural and artistic activities inside and outside the hospital http://beauxartsnantes.fr/colloque-art-psychiatrie-1
Ø Creating an artist residency of art and architecture in partnership with F.R.A.C. Centre – Invited Artists: Laetitia Delafontaine/Gregory Niel, Ai Kitahara, Sophie Dubosq, Sarah Fauguet/David Cousinard, Anne Le-Mee
Ø Initiator of the monumental sculpture from André Robillard
1999-2003
- Co-founder of the artists collective “The country where the sky is always blue“ in Orléans http://www.poctb.fr
Ø Creation of “The Borne / La Borne“ for itinerant exhibitions of contemporary art and artistic exchanges with other artists groups
1983-89
- Animator of artistic workshops (Painting, Photo, Theatre), G. Daumezon Mental Health Hospital, Fleury les Aubrais, France
Monographs and Exhibitions Catalogues
2011
- “Away from dust / Loin de la poussière“, Text by Jean Delaunay (Exhibition booklet P.O.C.T.B.)
2003
- “S.Turpin, J. Delaunay et L. Mazuy, S. Bordarier et C. Cuzin“, Text by Tristan Trémeau (Art-Press N°287)
2002
- “Dialogues“, Text by Tristan Trémeau (Exhibition booklet), Vierzon
1998
- “Tant et Temps“, Art Sérigraphs, Text by Jean Dominique Burtin (Booklet of Edition Dubois Imageries )
1996
- “Paint with reserve /Peindre avec réserve“, Text by Tristan Trémeau (Exhibition catalogue, C.A.C. Orléans)
1989
- “The laying time/La pose du temps“, Text by Christian Bonnefoi (Exhibition catalogue, C.A.C. Orléans)
1983
- “146 Créateurs of E.N.A.D. 72.83“, International School of Fine Arts, Villa Arson, Nice
Personal Writings
2013
- “André Robillard, hunter of dreams or portrait of the artist in search of others“ in “André Robillard and Art Brut“ (Exhibition catalog ISBN 978—2-910173-43-2), Musée des Beaux Arts d’Orléans/CHD G. Daumezon
2012
- “Art Brut in the city: a public tribute from the hospital to André Robillard artworks“ in “Trait d’ union“, CHD G. Daumezon
2011
- “Silent présence or the paths of drawing“ in “Toi et Vous“ (Exhibition booklet), FRAC CENTRE/CHD G DAUMEZON
2010
- “The boundaries as patterns“ in “Ai Kitahara" (Exhibition booklet ), FRAC CENTRE/CHD DAUMEZON
2008
- “An artist residency in the psychiatric hospital“ in “47°54’13.62’’N 1°53’47.19’’E DN“ (Exhibition booklet) FRAC CENTRE/CHD G DAUMEZON
2000
- “Biases / Partis pris“ in “Peintures" (Exhibition booklet), the country where the sky is always blue
1991
- “The painting way – notes on a thérapeutic itinerary“, School health executives, ST ANNE Mental Health Hospital, Paris
1989
- “Notes“ (Exhibition booklet), C.A.C., Orleans
1983
- “About two expériences in a painter studio at the psychiatric hospital“, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing School G. Daumezon, Mental Health Hospital, Fleury les Aubrais, France
ERIC KELLER
On day 7 of our 8th ART MATTERS online group exhibition, we are happy to present the German artist ERIC KELLER (born 1985 in Grimma, lives and works in Dresden), whose painted landscapes transfer the artist's visual memories into a painterly fiction, set in a placeless sphere full of moods and feelings. Read more about Eric Keller and his work below.
From the applications received for our last Open Artist Call – on the theme LANDSCAPES – we have selected a total of 9 finalists. Until 27 August, we will present these 9 artists and their submitted works one after the other here on our website and on Instagram. Every day at 6pm CET, we will present a different name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Monday 28 August at 6pm, we will announce the winner of our online competition: she or he will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Reminder of the Present
von Sebastian Preuss
"These pictures have a pull that one cannot really explain at first. Nothing exciting is shown: deserted streets leading somewhere into a placeless topography, lonely benches, parks and rest areas, inconspicuous utility buildings, railway crossings, bus stops, a garage yard or a clubhouse, again and again the faded walls in abandoned cultural buildings from GDR times. Occasionally one or two young people stray into these inhospitable landscapes, and then you ask yourself: what are they actually doing here? Even the painterly means are not aimed at spectacular effects. On the contrary, the colouring is muted and pale, everything tone in tone, the faded violet, the earthy colours, lots of beige and yellow and brown. In addition, the pictorial world is covered by a gossamer blur. Everything seems somehow detached, unspectacular, without highlights. Nothing happens that could quickly overwhelm us.
But it is precisely in this strange mood, which cannot easily be put into words, in this aura somewhere between the banality of everyday life and unreal magic, that the great charm of Eric Keller's paintings lies. Many of them seem like frozen stills from a melancholic road movie, and one does well to engage with the quiet drive. Patience pays off, because the longer you look at the pictures, the more their layers of content and aesthetic depth reveal themselves. Then the motifs in their supposed ordinariness and "normality" turn out to be something quite extraordinary, namely as such sophisticated compositions that nothing in them is interchangeable or conceivable elsewhere. They are the perfect moments of a memory work that picks out of myriads of visual experiences those visual grains that can trigger an extraordinary work of art.
Keller's painting style is also a quiet sensation. The often large areas of colour are only monochrome at first glance; in reality they have a multifaceted inner life. They oscillate in their nuances, develop in the sky of the landscapes from dull grey to subtly glowing orange, from yellowish blue to pink, on the streets to darkened asphalt or brightened violet. By repeatedly painting over his formations, Keller reveals refined layers of depth beneath the surfaces. Thus each colour is composed of different colours, layered on top of each other, translucent in thin streaks, sometimes stringy, sometimes fine-grained, sometimes diffusely dissolved as if in an acid bath. Keller confidently demonstrates his skills by looking into disused cultural buildings and inns, mostly in his native Saxony. There he is fascinated by the faded wall colours that are in the process of disappearing. What the course of history and the dissolving power of nature brought about in the real buildings leads Keller to create a particularly complex painting on canvas. In his work, the depictions of decay become washed-out or torn, cloudy or trickling abstractions - masterly cabinet pieces in which one wonders again and again whether a wall or a picture within a picture is actually meant here.
The more intensively one looks, the better one's eyes grasp the transparent, vibrating and iridescent richness of Keller's colour fabrics. Beyond representational depictions, his paintings are also manifestos of what can be achieved with the means of painting. But Keller does not work conceptually. He does not need a theoretical underpinning and does not load his paintings with calculated references. Intuition and the inner visual memory play an important role. Unlike most representational painters today, he does not use photographs as models. "Everything I paint I have seen in real life," Keller explains. "But I don't capture anything in the landscapes and architectures, nor do I take photographs. At that moment on site, I don't yet know that a painting will come out of it." An unconscious saving. When painting, Keller returns to the spaces and topographical situations in his imagination. But he must have actually experienced all the impressions. "Otherwise they don't become usable for me."
It is a memory that comes from the present. And a real today, because most of the impressions Keller has transferred into his pictorial cosmos since 2011 were experienced in Saxony. This is where he was born in Grimma, where he received his first artistic inspiration from a Leipzig painter at the age of 19, before he began studying at the Nuremberg Academy. Much more formative was his time at the Dresden Art Academy. "That's where we painted," says Keller succinctly. He finished his studies in Leipzig. Now, one could easily refer to the figurative tradition that lived on after the end of the GDR or use one of the meaningless labels such as the "New Leipzig School". But that does not get to the heart of Keller's art. He does not deal with either "Dresden" or "Leipzig" currents in a formative way, even though interiors and architecture are often found there. Keller's rapturous brushstrokes, the auratic use of colour, the implied and shadowy quality, all this can just as easily be compared with the Belgian Luc Tuymans, to name but one example. And a work like Keller's "Schönbach", which shows nothing but a white-cubic building on thin pillars à la Corbusier against a southern glowing sky, could also be spontaneously attributed to a Californian artist. Yet the inspiration goes back to a kitchen studio on a Saxon motorway. But localisable details - even where they actually exist - are not essential in Keller's work. He transfers his visual memories into a painterly fiction, set in a placeless sphere full of moods and feelings. Even if the visual fund has a lot to do with Saxony and some with the legacy of the GDR, in method it is not "East German" painting (32 years after the fall of the Wall, this categorisation should be thrown on the dustbin of history anyway). It is a painting of today."
CV
Eric Keller
born 1985 in Grimma, DE
lives and work in Dresden, DE
www.erickeller.net
@_eric_keller
Education
2006-08
- Studied Fine Arts at the AdBK Nuremberg with Prof. Rolf-Gunter Dienst
2008-14
- Studied painting at the HfBK Dresden with Prof. Elke Hopfe and Prof. Ralf Kerbach
2016-18
- Master Student at the HGB Leipzig with Prof. Annette Schröter
Solo Exhibitions
2023
- »Ginstergrund«, Galerie Poll, Berlin
2022
- »spellbound«, Galerie Leuenroth, Frankfurt/Main
2021
- »Eric Keller – Malerei«, Schaulager der Galerie Poll, Berlin
2020
- »Nachsaison«, Galerie Poll, Berlin
- »Traces« (mit Thoas Fißler), AG Galerie Schwerin
2019
- »Interference« (mit Katrína Dubovská), Galerie Stephanie Kelly, Dresden
- »paravent« (mit Carolin Israel), plan.d., Düsseldorf
2018
- »Stille Drift«, Galerie Poll, Berlin
- »HALALI« (mit Michael Klipphahn), Museum Schloss Klippenstein, Radeberg
2017
- »Rupfen in fremden Gärten« (mit Michael Klipphahn), Kunztraum, Dresden
- »Rücksitz Cinema«, Galerie Leuenroth, Frankfurt/Main
2015
- »Ein Date am Kanal«, Galerie Leuenroth, Frankfurt/Main
- Eric Keller, galerie baer, Dresden
- Präsentation des Werkes »Talsperre« im Rahmen der VA »Begegnung der Künste«, Lichthof Albertinum, Dresden
2014
- »Novemberkind«, galerie baer, Dresden
2013
- »Eric Keller/Simon Rosenthal - Malerei und Zeichnung«, Galerie Poll, Berlin
2012
- »Freizeittreff Fortschritt«, Galerie Irrgang, Leipzig
- »Von Nah und Fern« (mit Carolin Israel), Galerie der HfBK Dresden
2011
- »Andreas Wachter und Eric Keller«, Galerie Irrgang, Berlin
Group Exhibitions
2023
- »ART MATTERS SUMMER 2023«, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (online)
2022
- Gruppenausstellung, Galerie Wellemeyer, Plau am See
- »Speed Dating«, Motorenhalle Dresden
- »Speed Dating«, Theatre des Exposition/Palais des Beaux Arts, Paris
2021
- »Von der Kunst, Kunst zu fördern«, Städtische Galerie Dresden
- »Kunstpreis Kunst, Psyche und Gesundheit – Shortlist 2021«, FBZ, Ruhr-Universität, Bochum
2020
- »Existenz Kapitel II: Spuren«, Oktogon, HfBK Dresden
- »Ereignis Malerei«, Tapetenwerk Leipzig
- »Im Gehäuse – Atelierdarstellungen Leipziger Künstler*innen«, Kunsthalle des Sparkasse Leipzig
2019
- »Neuzugänge zeitgenössischer Kunst im Kunstfonds 2019«, Vertretung des Freistaates Sachsen beim Bund, Berlin
- »Wonderwall«, Galerie Leuenroth, Frankfurt/Main
- »Win Win«, Halle 14, Leipzig
- »In Memoriam – Hieronymus Wachter«, Galerie Irrgang, Leipzig
- »Deutsche Heimat«, Galerie Holger John, Dresden
- »KONVOI«, Galerie Leuenroth, Frankfurt/Main
2018
- »Ursulasalon«, Galerie Ursula Walter, Dresden
- »Collisione«, LAZ Galerie, Zürich, CH
- »KONVOI«, Galerie Rothamel, Erfurt
- »M18«, HGB Leipzig
- »Existenz Kapitel 1: Skizzen«, Oktogon, HfBK Dresden
- »Aphrodisiac«, Galerie Evelyn Drewes, Hamburg
- »Eberhard-Dietzsch-Kunstpreis«, Volksbank Gera
- Rundgang HGB Leipzig
2017
- »Liebelei«, objekt klein a, Dresden
- »The human aspect I + II – zeitgenössische figurative Positionen«, Barlachhalle Hamburg
- »Mitten im Mai :: Malerei«, Kunstverein Sulzfeld
- »The human aspect II – zeitgenössische figurative Positionen«, Galerie Ursula Walter, Dresden
- »Klasse Klasse!!«, Tapetenwerk, Leipzig
- »Seitenwechsel«, Galerie Leuenroth, Frankfurt/Main
- Rundgang HGB Leipzig
- »Stadt-Land-Raum – Sammlung Zander-Schürer«, Kunztraum, Dresden
2016
- Gruppenshow, Galerie Leuenroth, Frankfurt/Main
- »Markt«, Kunztraum, Dresden
- »Ich dachte, Sie wären nur ein armer Schlucker!«, KOMMUNALKA, Leipzig
- »no3 Positur!«, Galerie FF15, Leipzig
- »Dresden«, Galerie Hoffschild, Lübeck
- »My Heart´s in the Highlands«, Galerie junge zeitgenössische Kunst, Chemnitz
- »Na dosah/Greifbar nah«, Kunstmuseum Galerie Cheb, CZ
- »Na dosah/Greifbar nah«, Kunstmuseum Galerie Plsen, CZ
2015
- Bilder im Filmprojekt »24 Wochen« von Anne Zohra Berrached
2014
- »Santa Cloud«, galerie baer, Dresden
- »okay.whiteout«, Delikatessenhaus Leipzig
- »Startpoint Prize«, DOX, Prag
- »Postcards from The East«, APT Gallery, London, GB
- »Diplomausstellung«, HfBK Dresden
- »Mensch werde wesentlich«, KV Freunde Aktueller Kunst, Zwickau
- »Dada TY«, HELLERAU – Europäisches Zentrum der Künste, Dresden
- »Landschaften«, Galerie Poll, Berlin
- »inner cities«, Galerie Irrgang, Berlin
2013
- »Wintercollective II«, Galerie Irrgang, Leipzig
- »All Star Cast«, galerie baer, Dresden
- »Hype«, geh8, Dresden
2012
- »Addition«, galerie baer, Dresden
- »Frühwerk«, F14, Dresden
- »Keine Bilder ohne Liebe«, Galerie Poll, Berlin
- »Kabinettausstellung«, Galerie Irrgang, Leipzig
2011
- »Frühjahrssalon«, Galerie ZanderKasten, Dresden
- »Wintercollective«, Galerie Irrgang, Leipzig
- »Kellerausstellung« der Gruppe ZWANZIGZEHN, Dresden
2010
- »Seminar«, Galerie Irrgang, Leipzig
Public Collections
- Sammlung zeitgenössischer Kunst der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Bonn
- Städtische Galerie Dresden
- Kulturstiftung des Freistaates Sachsen
- Galerie Neue Meister der Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen Dresden
- Ostsächsische Sparkasse Dresden
- PPZK Deutschland
- Kunstsammlung der Roland-Graefe-Stiftung
Bibliography
- Galerie Poll (Hrsg.): Eric Keller – Nachsaison; Berlin; 2021
- Eva und Lothar C. Poll (Hrsg.): Keine Bilder ohne Liebe; Druckerei Conrad; Berlin; 2012; ISBN: 978-3-931759-32-2
- Galerie Irrgang GbR Leipzig/Berlin (Hrsg.): Eric Keller – Freizeittreff Fortschritt; Leipzig 2012
- Diplomkatalog, HfBK Dresden, 2014
- Torsten Klaus: Ödnis und Fülle; in Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten, 16.10.2014
- Katja Lindenau: Die Wärme des November; in SAX 10/14, S. 27
- Liane Wendt: Auf der Suche nach der inneren Ruhe – Eric Keller; in kunnst Sommer 2016, S. 14 bis 21
- Wilhelm Werthern: Eric Keller – Künstler des Monats; in LE MONDE diplomatique, Deutsche Ausgabe, Mai 2016
- Kulturkreis Sulzfeld/Galerie Leuenroth (Hrsg.): Mitten im Mai; Lubok Verlag; Leipzig 2017; ISBN: 978-3-945111-36-9
- Karl Kowalke (Hrsg.): Liebelei; Dresden 2017
- Patrick-Daniel Baer: Rupfen in fremden Gärten – Eric Keller und Michael Klipphahn; www.cybersax.de
- Patrick-Daniel Baer: Der Laptop, der auf einer Bank sitzt; in Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten, 28.05.2018
- Christiane Meixner: Urbane Romantik – Eric Keller in der Galerie Poll; in Tagesspiegel, 23.07.2018
- Eva und Lothar C. Poll (Hrsg.): Abenteuer Kunst – 50 Jahre Galerie Poll; Katalogdruck-Berlin; Berlin; 2018; ISBN: 978-3-931-759-40-7
- Annette Schröter (Hrsg.): KONVOI – Annette Schröter und Meisterklasse; Pöge Druck, Leipzig 2018
- Patrick-Daniel Baer: Der Heimat-Hirsch; in Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten, 28.03.2019
- Patrick-Daniel Baer: Interference; in SAX, November 2019
- Patrick-Daniel Baer: Hybride Verbindung; in DNN, 21.11.2019
- Echo Licht, Ausgabe 2: Über das Feiern, Kulturheldenradio, 2020
- Berliner Abendschau, rbb, 31.10.2020
- Bund Bildender Künstler Leipzig e.V. (Hrsg.): Ereignis Malerei 2020, Leipzig 2020
- Julia Christian: State of the Art oder Kunstkränzchen – Oskar Rink im Gespräch mit Eric Keller; in Stadtluft Dresden, Bookzin 5, S. 60-63, Dresden 2020, ISBN 978-3-86530-264-9
CHRISTO DASKALTSIS
0622-01, 2022
oil and alkyd on aluminium
160 x 120 cm
It's day 6 of our 8th ART MATTERS online group exhibition and we are pleased to present the German artist of Greek descent CHRISTO DASKALTSIS (born 1969 in Düsseldorf, lives and works in Berlin). His abstract painting comes alive in the eye of the beholder; it is dependent on the perception of the individual to discern a singular meaning or form within the picture. Read more about Christo Daskaltsis and his work below.
From the applications received for our last Open Artist Call – on the theme LANDSCAPES – we have selected a total of 9 finalists. Until 27 August, we will present these 9 artists and their submitted works one after the other here on our website and on Instagram. Every day at 6pm CET, we will present a different name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Monday 28 August at 6pm, we will announce the winner of our online competition: she or he will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne.
ARTIST STATEMENT
"The perceptible world is a distortion", Plato asserts in his Allegory of the Cave. The artist Christo Daskaltsis, with Greek roots, tries to show through his art that our process of seeing does not distinguish between what is really there and what we perceive. "I want the observer to see that he sees nothing," he says. He wants us to realise that – deceived by our eyes – we are often too quick to judge by appearances.
When we look at Daskaltsis' painting, we see a structured material surface. But instead of staying on the surface, we dive deeper and deeper into the painting and begin to see things through the influence of our memories and experiences. Things that normally remind us of the beauty of nature. Here we may see a close-up of a crushed slab of ice or the bubbling foam of ocean waves, there the structure of snow-covered mountain peaks or the dunes of the desert seen from space. Then we are suddenly brought back to the surface of the painting and remain trapped again in its material properties. In doing so, we realise that what we have just seen is neither what is there nor what is supposed to be there: The structure of the painting is nothing more and nothing less than a chemical reaction between oil paint, turpentine and alkyd. In this process, the artist deliberately steps back so that the structures develop and the materials work autonomously.
When does perception begin and when do our memory and imagination come into play to create meaning without us even noticing?
Christo Daskaltsis wants us to empty our overstimulated perception and charge it with new insights about ourselves.His work shows the relationship between object and viewer not only platonic in terms of distortion, but also in terms of identity.
When we look at his works, we are forced to question ourselves in terms of cognition, imagination, rationality and emotion – in short, with all our senses.
The large-format paintings in oil on aluminium by Christo Daskaltsis are truly abstract works. The strictly conceptualised method of production deliberately excludes any possibility of formal influence by the artist in the creation of his works. A monochrome layer of paint is applied to the surface of the aluminium plate, which the artist then wets with turpentine. Using a household broom, Daskaltsis sweeps over the surface, creating a completely abstract image that results from the dissolution of pigments in the paint and their migration across the surface as he sweeps.His works thus gain a sense of depth that both draws the viewer into the painting ground and allows the forms to project beyond it.Nevertheless, this three-dimensionality is an illusion, as the surface remains flat.The works are alive in the eye of the beholder, their truth dependent on the perception of the individual. Since all of Daskaltsis' works are titled with the date of production rather than a more meaningful headline, the viewer is left with no prompting to discern a singular meaning or form within the painting.
CV
Christo Daskaltsis
born 1969 in Düsseldorf
lives and works in Berlin
www.christo-daskaltsis.net
@christo.daskaltsis
The artist Christo Daskaltsis was born in Düsseldorf in 1969 after his parents moved to Germany from Greece in the early 1960s.
Daskaltsis was passionate about painting and colours from a young age. As a schoolchild, he discovered the potential of art to express the inexpressible when he saw a work by the artist Mondrian in the Museum Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen. Studying at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts in Paris under Pierre Soulage, Daskaltsis learned to transform his creative energy into works of art. Although this formal education as an artist formed the foundation of his career, his practice evolved towards the experimental and thus he broke away from the constraints of the academic approach. After Daskaltsis opened a studio in Berlin, he developed an elaborate methodology through which his works are created. Moving away from figurative and conceptual art, the artist decided to focus on the process of creation rather than the result. By applying paint to canvas or aluminium and then working with turpentine and sweeping with a broom, always on the floor, Daskaltsi produces works that are free of any formal composition and physical evidence of the artist's hand.This methodology excludes the influence of preconceived ideas of composition or content. By applying paint to canvas or aluminium and then working with turpentine and sweeping with a broom, always on the floor, Daskaltsis produces works that are free of any formal composition and physical evidence of the artist's hand. This methodology excludes the influence of preconceived ideas of composition or content. Through exhibitions of his work internationally and by establishing a network of private collectors ranging from Italy to New York, Daskaltsis' works have been enthusiastically received by a diverse audience. Through international exhibitions, the artist encourages viewers to explore the relationship between the work and their own memories and associations. The works evoke a discussion about the ability to see and identify, in the artist's words this experience creates an "imitation of perception".
Education
1988-92
- École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts de Paris, Study of Art, Art History and Design
1992-94
- Robert Schumann Institut, Düsseldorf, Study of Piano and Composition
1994-98
- Academy for Design and Communication, Schwerte, Study of Design and Communication Design
Awards
2013
- iF Design Award
2014
- German Design Award
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2018
- Galeries Lafayette, Berlin
2017
- Galerie Ei, Berlin
2015
- Galerie Schütter, Berlin
2013
- Galerie Liebkranz, Berlin
2010
- Gallery Kouklas, Thessaloniki
2009
- Gallery Minimal, Berlin
2006
- Gallery Ligos, Athens
2000
- Gallery Milos, Athens
1999
- Gallery Chicks, Amsterdam
1998
- Gallery Les Halles, Paris
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023
- Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (online)
2022
- spoiler aktionsraum, Berlin
2021
- re-space gallery, Berlin
2020
- Galerie Bermel von Luxburg, Berlin
2019
- Beirut Art Fair, Beirut
- Gallery PS120, Berlin
- Gallery Lucky, Berlin
2008
- Gallery Minimal, Berlin
2004
- Gallery Ligos, Athens
2000
- Gallery Les Halles, Paris
1998
- Gallery Chicks, Amsterdam
Private Collections
Rome, Milan, Berlin, Cologne, Sydney, Los Angeles, New York, Athens, London, Zurich, Basel, Paris
LARS UNGER
Untitled, 2021
various materials
72 x 68 x 30 cm
On day 5 of our 8th ART MATTERS online group exhibition, we are happy to present the German artist LARS UNGER (born 1980 in Oldenburg). His sculptural object – a stage model – is part of an interdisciplinary art project and presents an urban landscape. Read more about Lars Unger and his work below.
From the applications received for our last Open Artist Call – on the theme LANDSCAPES – we have selected a total of 9 finalists. Until 27 August, we will present these 9 artists and their submitted works one after the other here on our website and on Instagram. Every day at 6pm CET, we will present a different name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Monday 28 August at 6pm, we will announce the winner of our online competition: she or he will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne.
ARTIST STATEMENT
For the interdisciplinary art project "It's quiet in Tokyo", Lars Unger created four "free" stage design models and commissioned four different music ensembles to write a composition for each model. The aim was to reverse the traditional theatre production process and first create a stage design and then develop music or even scenes based on it. Usually, theatre starts with an existing play, for which a stage design is created later. In this case, however, the stage design should be the starting point. Only the model should serve as inspiration for musical motifs. A stage set is always a playing field, a space, a landscape through which one can move. It has to be played on. The result was 4 compositions from the fields of jazz, hip hop, new music and electro sounds. The musical vernissage took place in the jazz club "Wilhelm13" in Oldenburg.
CV
Lars Unger
born 1980 in Oldenburg
lives and works in Oldenburg
www.larsunger.com
@___lars_unger___
Lars Unger studied stage design and free art at the Academie Minerva Groningen (NL) and at the Hochschule für bildende Künste in Hamburg. His artistic work includes installations, performances, assemblages and objects.
In addition to his solo work, he is also the founder of the German-Dutch artist duo BOSMOS, which has been developing performances and exhibitions at the intersection of visual art, pop concert and music theatre since 2008. This concept does without performers and instead focuses on space, objects, light and music. The most recent stage work "The Black Performance" premiered at the Oldenburg State Theatre in 2020. In 2021, "Carousel" was created, a walk-in object theatre consisting of light and sound objects. This was followed in 2022 by "Arcade", an interactive installation that was shown in Hamburg and Worpswede, among other places.
As a stage designer, he worked on dance and theatre productions as well as various experimental formats at home and abroad until 2016. He has worked at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Kampnagel Hamburg and Cirkus Cirkör in Stockholm, among others. In addition, he was active for several years in the Dutch independent theatre scene and was temporarily a member of the ensemble of the Chamber Opera in Zwolle (NL).
Education
2011-15
- Visual Arts, Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg (MFA)
2004-08
- Scenography, Academie Minerva Groningen (BFA), NL
2002-04
- Musicology, University of Hamburg, DE
Various
2008
- Foundation of the artists' group BOSMOS
2013-14
- Ensemble member of the Zwolle Chamber Opera (NL)
Awards, Grants
2022
- Work Grant | MWK Niedersachsen
2021
- Research Grant | Fonds Darstellende Künste
2021
- Project Grant | MWK Niedersachsen
2015
- Bayreuth Scholarship | Richard-Wagner-Scholarship Foundation
2013
- Work Grant | Freundeskreis der HfbK Hamburg e.V.
2011-13
- Akademie Musiktheater heute | Deutsche Bank Foundation
2008
- Academy Minerva Award
2007
- Work Grant | Stockholm | De Groot Brugmans Fonds
Selected Exhibitions
2023
- "ART MATTERS SUMMER 2023", Online Group Exhibition, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne
- "Neue Werke“, Gruppenausstellung, Artothek des Stadtmuseums Oldenburg
- "ausgezeichnet!“, 9. Oldenburger Zeichenfestival
2022
- "Break on through“, Solo Show, Seefelder Mühle, Stadland
2021
- Werner Kuehl Prize, Nominees Exhibition, Kreismuseum Syke
2020
- "Soweit erstmal...“, Solo Show, Kunstfoyer der Treuhand Weser-Ems
- "XS“, Gruppenausstellung, Alfa Gallery Miami
2019
- "Formt und färbt Euch!“, Solo Show, Kunstforum Oldenburg
2018
- Transformart, Group Exhibition, Berlin
2012
- "Landscape of Light“, Group Exhibition, Jicín (CZ)
2011
- "Das Schweben schwerer Gegenstände…“, Group Exhibition, Künstlerhaus Sootbörn/HH
2008
- "210 Jahre Academie Minerva“, Group Exhibition, Groningen
with BOSMOS (Exhibitions and Performances)
2022
- "Arcade“, Interactive Installation, Oldenburg, Hamburg, Worpswede
2021
- "Carousel“, Walk-in Object Theatre, Oldenburg
2020
- "The Black Performance“, Oldenburgisches Staatstheater
2014
- "Bosmos“, Down the Rabbit Hole-Festival, Beuningen (NL)
2013
- "Concrete Jungle“, Theater De Lieve Vrouw, Amersfoort (NL)
2011
- "Tokio 3.6 V“, Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival, Paradiso Amsterdam
2010
- "Tokio“, Trefkoel Groningen
2009
- "Bosmachine“, Worteldagen (NL)
2008
- "Blauwgrijs…“, NNT Groningen
Theatre (Stage Designs)
2015
- "Don Quixote“, Figurentheater Sesam, Göteborg
- "Barricades and Dances“, Tanz, Kampnagel
2014
- "Love Affairs“, Deutsche Oper Berlin
- "De Poolse Minnaar“, Kammeroper Zwolle
2012
- "Narziss und die Revolution“, Kampnagel
- "Argenore“, Oper, Schlosstheater Rheinsberg
2009
- "Shoes are made for walking“, Dance, Barcelona/Rotterdam
2008
- "Trippa Trappa“, Cirkus Cirkör, Stockholm
MAXIMILIAN WELZ
Untitled 0706231, 2023
oil on linen
210 x 180 cm
It's day 4 of our 8th ART MATTERS online group exhibition and we are pleased to present German artist MAXIMILIAN WELZ (born 1998 in Heidelberg, lives, studies and works in Stuttgart) with a landscape painting that blurs the boundaries between non-objectivity and representation, the known and the unknown. Read more about Maximilian Welz and his work below.
From the applications received for our last Open Artist Call – on the theme LANDSCAPES – we have selected a total of 9 finalists. Until 27 August, we will present these 9 artists and their submitted works one after the other here on our website and on Instagram. Every day at 6pm CET, we will present a different name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Monday 28 August at 6pm, we will announce the winner of our online competition: she or he will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Inspiration has many sources; its spectrum is broad, diverse, and personal. In every work, there is a world to discover and celebrate - a kind of visual poetry, perhaps a pathway into a reflective space.
From pure non-representational art to various levels of representation, some works are clearly inspired by a specific place, while others are inspired by "somewhere." Some works may refer to a moment or an impression - a distillation of thoughts, emotions, and memories. In this process, light and the phenomena and laws it entails play a crucial role in creating a familiar starting point or seemingly familiar systematicity within the image.
The viewer is encouraged to participate, to make the space and associations their own, and to let the works resonate with their subconscious.
The process of painting unfolds as a continuous cycle of decision-making and self-discipline, constantly exploring and discarding thoughts. Nevertheless, the aim is always to imbue each work with emotional content and to empathize with the viewer's humanity. Thus, the work becomes an expression of the inherent duality and fragility of life.
Rags are just as essential tools as brushes and spatulas. Removing or withholding something often proves more important than adding new elements. This process appears to be endless until a moment arrives when balance is achieved.
In this way, the works become more than just paintings - they become complete and individual objects that are not solely defined by the canvas grain and the application of paint. They are permeated with tensions in which familiar references and relationships are brought together anew and clarified.
This interplay of the familiar and the unknown, of naturalness and synthesis, renders the works organic and yet foreign as a whole.
Each individual work represents a fragment of an ongoing artistic process and is therefore not final or standalone.
CV
Maximilian Welz
born 1998 in Heidelberg, DE
lives, studies and works in Suttgart
www.maximilian-welz.com
@maximilian.welz
Education
since 2018
- studies Fine Arts at the State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart with Cordula Güdemann and Katrin Plavcak
Selected Exhibitions
2023
- ART MATTERS SUMMER 2023 - Online Group Show Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne
- Shifts in Nature - ACADEMY SELECTION 2 Group Show Galerie Kellermann, Düsseldorf
- Deus ex machina - Group Show Gewerkschaftshaus, Stuttgart
- PARALLEL EDITIONS 2023 - mit Galerie Kunst ab Hinterhof, Vienne
- Beyond - Solo Show Galerie Thomas Fuchs, Stuttgart
2022
- Moment - Duo Show mit Stefan Beyer im Projektraum AKKU, Stuttgart
- PopUp-Galerie 2022 Dillmann - Group Show mit Galerie Strzelski, Stuttgart
- Nach der Zeit - Solo Show Galerie Fingur, Tübingen
- holy mountain kollektiv Container Haus am Wehrsteg, Heidelberg
- LOOTBOX - Group Show Kultur Am Kelterberg Vaihingen e.V., Stuttgart
- Süsse Stückchen - Group Show Kunstverein Böblingen, Böblingen
2021
- OPAK - Group Show mit Galerie Kunst ab Hinterhof, Vienna
- Art Austria - mit Galerie Kunst ab Hinterhof, Vienna
- Blühende Landschaften - Solo Show zeroarts-stuttgart, Stuttgart
- ABLEGER - Group Show Chloroplast e.V. Stuttgart, Stuttgart
LUIS ZIMMERMANN
la speranza, 2022
collage, acrylic paint and transfer print on canvas
230 x 180 cm
On day 3 of our 8th ART MATTERS online group exhibition, we are pleased to present German artist LUIS ZIMMERMANN (born 1998 in Aachen, lives, studies and works in Vienna and Düsseldorf). In his vintage photography/collage based work, a beach in Italy becomes a reflection of a personal and collective journey exploring the multifaceted landscape of "identity". Read more about Luis Zimmermann and his work below.
From the applications received for our last Open Artist Call – on the theme LANDSCAPES – we have selected a total of 9 finalists. Until 27 August, we will present these 9 artists and their submitted works one after the other here on our website and on Instagram. Every day at 6pm CET, we will present a different name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Monday 28 August at 6pm, we will announce the winner of our online competition: she or he will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne.
ARTIST STATEMENT
In the work shown, I immerse myself in the image of a beach in Italy, the place of origin of my family, who came to Germany as guest workers in the 1960s. In doing so, I express myself painterly without directly using colour, as I am rather fascinated by the detours and alternatives that lead me to my results.
In my work I explore recurring themes such as questioning my own identity and the complex nature of group or even national identities. In this context, the beach symbolises for me a multi-layered connection with my family background and cultural identity. Yet amidst this apparent tranquillity and beauty lies a complex of questions that are illuminated in different ways through my artistic expression.
Instead of traditional painting techniques, I use photographs and collages that I print out in large format on paper. In doing so, I resort to transfer prints to deliberately create overlaps and gaps. This technique reflects the complexity and mutability of identities and refers to the question of how they emerge, change and relate to each other.I present the exploration of the term "identity" on different levels. The use of old family photos questions my personal identity as an Italian, and through the collages and overlays I open up new perspectives on the theme of belonging and origin.
Furthermore, I use my art to address national identities and to criticise the country's far-right movement. By incorporating these themes into my work, I invite the viewer to reflect on the political and social meaning of identities and to engage with the need for critical engagement.My artistic statement aims to show the complexity and dynamics of identities and to encourage the viewer to reflect on their own identity and belonging. The beach in Italy becomes a reflection of a personal and collective journey, marked by the detours and stops in between, exploring the multi-faceted landscape of identity.
CV
Luis Zimmermann
born 1998 in Aachen, DE
lives and studies/works in Vienna and Düsseldorf
www.luiszimmermann.com
@luislzimmermann
Education
since 2018
- Düsseldorf Academy of Art, course of studies in Fine Arts with Thomas Grünfeld
2016-18
- Technical College for Design GUT (Aachen)
Study Achievements
- Winter Semester 18/19, Introduction to Art History / with Prof. Martina Dobbe
- Summer Semester 2021, The Power of Images II Theory of the Moving Image / Prof. Grünbein
- Winter Semester 21/22, Fundamentals of Contemporary and Modern Art / Robert Fleck
- Winter Semester 21/22, How to make an exhibition from A to Z / Robert Fleck
- Summer Semester 2022, Seminar Studio Visits / Robert Fleck
- Summer Semester 2022, Master Student with Prof. Thomas Grünfeld
Selected Exhibitions
2023
- "ART MATTERS SUMMER 2023", online group exhibition, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne
- "Encounter“, Solo Show, Galerie Freitag 1830, Aachen
- Rundgang Kunstakademie Düsseldorf (Raum013 Thomas Grünfeld)
2022
- Group show, KIB Berlin
- "Academy selection" Galerie Kellermann, Düsseldorf
- Junge Kunst aus dem Rheinland, Düsseldorf Pferderennbahn
- Rundgang Kunstakademie Düsseldorf (Raum 014 Thomas Grünfeld)
2021
- "Hidden Identities“, Solo Show, Studio „Wirdnachgereicht“, Basel
2020
- Art-Hoc Junge Kunst aus dem Rheinland, Düsseldorf
- "Genius Loci 8“, Galerie Setareh, Düsseldorf
- Rundgang Kunstakademie Düsseldorf (Raum 014 Thomas Grünfeld)
2019
- "Schichtwechsel“, Einzelausstellung Produzentengalerie Artikel 5, Aachen
Collections/Scholarships
2023
- Exchange Programme Academy of Liberal Arts Vienna (Prof. Daniel Richter)
- Purchase Hense Collection / Kunsthalle Gevelsberg
2022
- Master student with Prof. Thomas Grünfeld / Düsseldorf
- Purchase Hense Collection / Kunsthalle Gevelsberg
2021
- Germany Scholarship / Düsseldorf
HANNA KAMINSKI
o.T. (unter blau), 2023
acrylic and oil on canvas
60 x 60 cm
It's day 2 of our 8th ART MATTERS online group exhibition and we are pleased to present American-born artist HANNA KAMINSKI (born 1988 in San Francisco, lives and works in Berlin) whose abstract painting conveys notions of a landscape rather than depicting an existing place. Read more about Hanna Kaminski and her work below.
From the applications received for our last Open Artist Call – on the theme LANDSCAPES – we have selected a total of 9 finalists. Until 27 August, we will present these 9 artists and their submitted works one after the other here on our website and on Instagram. Every day at 6pm CET, we will present a different name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Monday 28 August at 6pm, we will announce the winner of our online competition: she or he will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne.
ARTIST STATEMENT
In Hanna Kaminski's works, the image carrier resembles a landscape of iridescent colour applications in which the forms are created by overlapping layers of colour. The paintings present an open, surreal and cartoonesque visual language. Always on the border of the recognisable, already seen, the forms elude any all too quick interpretation. For Hanna Kaminski, the medium of painting is a tool for dissolving initial, motivic ideas and developing her own formal language. Random moments in the working process require her active, conscious reaction and keep the emergence of her paintings in constant, productive tension. It is not only the motif that tells the story, but also the medium itself. Traces of painted-over layers speak of time and the process of her work.
Text by Carolin Kralapp:
"Layer by layer, Hanna Kaminski applies colours to the canvas, which take over the painting surface in changing forms and unfold in open shapes. Sometimes undefined, sometimes very clear forms come up against permeable brushstrokes that allow associations with figurativeness but do not strictly impose themselves. Hanna Kaminski examines initial motivic ideas for what remains when one forgets to do something. She uses the medium of painting as an aid to detach herself more and more from initial ideas in the working process.
The forms and colours she finds are in constant coherence in the works, are in a mutual dependence and a perceptible tension that unites both poles on the canvas. A liberating lightness and enormous power reveal themselves, entering into a symbiosis. Hanna Kaminski deliberately uses painting to visualise a working process, revealing new layers of colour and releasing forms that were not yet firmly inscribed in the work at the beginning.
The artist makes visible a playful and explorative artistic process that we, as viewers, can follow on the canvases."
CV
Hanna Kaminski
born 1988 in San Francisco
lives and works in Berlin
www.hannakaminski.de
@hanna_kaminski
Education
2023
- Master student at the UDK Berlin with Prof. Valérie Favre
2021-23
- Class for painting by Prof. Valérie Favre at the UDK Berlin
2019-21
- Class for Painting/Graphics by Prof. Michael Riedel at the HGB Leipzig
2018-21
- Study of painting/graphics at the HGB Leipzig
Selected Exhibitions
2023
- ART MATTERS SUMMER 2023, online group exhibition, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne
2022
- Klasse Valérie Favre Berlin (Teil II), Galerie C, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- enter the limelight, Raum für Sichtbarkeit, Berlin
- excuse me, where is the rabbit hole?, Luftschutzbunker Kaiserdamm, Berlin
- soft grid, studio Hanniball, Berlin
- Zirkus, Ausstellung der Klasse Valérie Favre, Villa Grisebach, Berlin
2021
- optotype, p145, Berlin
- Ausstellung zum Hans Purrmann Preis der Stadt Speyer für Bildende Kunst 2021, Speyer
- Pulling & Opening, p145, Berlin
- ca boo dle, Bistro 21, Leipzig
- lauf, mickey!, Soloausstellung, Galerie Josef Filipp, Spinnerei Leipzig
- Armin Sandig Preis, Freiheitshalle Hof, Hof
2020
- featured in #takingoverkunsthallehh @hamburger.kunsthalle and by @franziskareinbothe
- Bezüge II, konnektor Forum für Künste, Hannover
- Aus der Radierwerkstatt der HGB Leipzig, Galerie art gluchowe e.V., Glauchau
2019
- unsere meinung, Klassenausstellung, Brühl, Leipzig
- Kunstpreis junger westen 2019, Malerei, Kunsthalle Recklinghausen, Recklinghausen
- Mehrzahl, Werkschauhalle, Leipzig
Distinctions
- Finalist for the Hans Purrmann Prize of the City of Speyer for Visual Arts 2021, Speyer
- Nomination Armin Sandig Prize 2020, Freiheitshalle Hof, Hof
- Nomination Kunstpreis junger westen 2019, Painting, Kunsthalle Recklinghausen, Recklinghausen
LORENZ BÖGLE
Untitled (Landscape with Moonlight), 2021
acrylic on canvas
20 x 30 cm
Kick-off: We begin our 8th ART MATTERS online group exhibition with a presentation of German artist LORENZ BÖGLE (b. 1989, lives and works in Reutlingen, Balingen, Mannheim, Munich and Baden-Baden), whose sketchy-looking painting depicts a dramatic, moonlit landscape. Read more about Lorenz Bögle and his work below.
From the applications received for our last Open Artist Call – on the theme LANDSCAPES – we have selected a total of 9 finalists. Until 27 August, we will present these 9 artists and their submitted works one after the other here on our website and on Instagram. Every day at 6pm CET, we will present a different name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Monday 28 August at 6pm, we will announce the winner of our online competition: she or he will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne.
ARTIST STATEMENT
"One strolls like the voyeur, one enjoys like the dandy. Bohemia takes on contours. Gladly lyrical – like a fleeting sketch – even on one of these narrow, thin-skinned inn blocks. Memory looms large, emerges and remains mystery. It is both: Anachronism as well as Zeitgeist philosophy. It has something of Satie about it. The work of Lorenz Bögle is something very special for me. If he were a composer, he wouldn't lose himself in twelve-tone music. He can also turn the mirror upside down, climb behind it, dig into secrets, take them apart and put them back together again. I like the longing that his works awaken in me. They speak. They live. And in this way, if you look at the current circumstances of life, they are almost avant-garde again."
Klaus Oberrauner, Vienna, 2016
CV
Lorenz Bögle
born 1989 in Reutlingen (DE)
lives and works in Reutlingen, Balingen, Mannheim, München and Baden-Baden (DE)
www.lorenz-boegle.de
@lorenz_boegle
Education
2010-12
- studies art history and law at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen
from 2012
- studies at the State Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe, class of Prof. Silvia Bächli
2018
- Master student with Professor Markus Vater
Various
Co-founder of the "hART KARLSRUHE" initiative, an independent producer fair for Art Karlsruhe, existing since 2016.
Since 2018, runs an offspace in Munich, "Galerie U 108", Ungererstraße 108, 80805 Munich with a branch in Mannheim, George-Sullivan-Ring 69, 68309 Mannheim.
„Artist at, in, with and against the Arts“
Selected Exhibitions
2023
- ART MATTERS SUMMER 2023, online group exhibition, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne
- Kapitel 1 #der Dorfplatz, group exhibition, barac Mannheim
- hART MUC, Galerie U 108, Ungererstrasse 108, Munich
- EXPERIMENT MANNHEIM, Offene Ateliers Mannheim, barac Mannheim
- Pop Up Gehrn Center, Galerie U 108, DEPENDANCE ZOLLERNALB
2022/23
- Mitgliederausstellung Badischer 2Kunstverein, group exhibition, Badischer Kunstverein Karlsruhe
2022
- RATTLESNAKE, group exhibition, Luis Leu, Karlsruhe
- Offshore Money for the Show, Haus der Kunst, Munich
- OpenQ - Alles für Alle, group exhibition, OpenQ, Munich
- TillyOpen#2, group exhibition, Tillystudios, Nuremberg
2021
- BETRIEBSWERK_39ROOMS, group exhibition, BETRIEBSWERK, Heidelberg
- Mitgliederausstellung des Badischen Kunstvereins, online exhibition, Badischer Kunstverein
2020
- hART KARLSRUHE 2020, exhibition and happening, Karlsruhe
- Hausarrest am Tag der Arbeit, online exhibition, www.louandlouis.com
- Galerie U108, Online Exhibition May 2020, online exhibition, Galerie U 108, Munich
- Galerie U108, Online Exhibition July 2020, online exhibition, Galerie U 108, Munich
- Digitale Mitgliederausstellung des Badischen Kunstvereins, online exhibition, Badischer Kunstverein
2019/20
- Open Mind, exhibition, Rosengarten, Mannheim
- Galerie Ahnen VII, exhibition, Luis Leu, Karlsruhe
2019
- hART KARLSRUHE 2019, exhibition and happening, Karlsruhe
- Die Spontane 2019/1, exhibition, Galerie U 108, Munich
- sympathich_seriös_insolvent, exhibition, Galerie U 108, Munich
- Präventionen im Umgang mit dem 21. Jahrhundert I, exhibition, Galerie U 108, Munich
- Lange Nacht der Bilder 2019, exhibition, Berlin
- hUND#, exhibition, die UND#, Halle
- hART MUC, exhibition, Galerie U 108, Munich
- Heiliger Bimm Bamm I, exhibition, Balingen
- Kunst tut gut, charity auction, KOSIMA, Mannheim
2018/19
- Galerie Ahnen VI, exhibition, Luis Leu, Karlsruhe
________________
ART MATTERS 7
Online Group Exhibition
8 – 23 April 2023 – on view online until 7 May
1 new artist daily at 6pm CET
exclusively on: galerie-biesenbach.de, Instagram and Facebook
FINALE: Sunday 23 April
We announce the two winners of our online competition: At 5pm the 2nd prize will be awarded (online solo show) and at 6pm the 1st prize (gallery group show).
Following our 7th Open Artist Call, we launch our new ART MATTERS 7 online group exhibition on Saturday 8 April at 6pm CET. From all the applications received, we have selected 15 finalists, who will be presented with their submitted artworks on our website, Instagram and Facebook, one after the other until 22 April. Every day at 6pm CET, a new name and artwork will be unveiled so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole. The presentation of our Top 15 is rounded off by "Honourable Mentions" in our daily Instagram stories, in which we acknowledge the works of a selected number of artists who just missed the final cut (45, to be exact, posted in our Instagram stories from 9 to 23 April, 3 per day and between noon and 6pm).
On Sunday 23 April at 5pm and at 6pm, we will again announce the two winners of our online competition: One will receive a solo online exhibition, the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne.
We invite you to visit ART MATTERS 7 regularly here on our website, Instagram and Facebook.
About our ART MATTERS series:
Just like with our first 6 open artist call projects since April 2020, we were aware how versatile and eclectic this sixth online exhibition could be. But it was precisely the idea of an open call that appealed to us: to invite artists from the most diverse directions to apply and submit their work. From this multitude of perspectives and positions, we look forward to get an exhibition that shows a field of tension but also a symbiotic dialogue between the individual artworks. An exhibition that matches the direction and philosophy of the gallery, but also brings something new to our programme.
You can check out our first 6 ART MATTERS shows further down.
PS: Our next open call will take place around October 2023…
FINALS DAY: Sunday 23 April
AUSTIN TURLEY: Winner Gallery Group Show
Congratulations to AUSTIN TURLEY: The US artist (born 1977, lives and works in Portland, OR) is the second of our two ART MATTERS 7 winners and will be invited with a selection of his works to a group exhibition at our gallery in Cologne in early 2024 (TBD)! We are intrigued by Turley’s artistic exploration of kiln-formed, cold-worked glass. The resulting wall objects are intimately small and fragile, yet bold and striking. We already have some ideas for a beautiful presentation with Austin Turley's works and look forward to working with the artist in the near future!
“Spontaneity, improvisation, and techniques of the bricoleur are the result of keen observations, which can lead to finding relevancy in the unexpected. I believe my modes of making are parallel to those of the bricoleur, exploring the notion that science and mystical thought are equivalent approaches to understanding the world around us. I am interested in the transformative character of objects as they evolve, erode, and alter throughout time. As I continue to learn and experiment with the complexities of kiln formed glass, my focus and research revolves around the language of the medium itself, how it behaves, its characteristics, and its properties. I believe emphasizing these rhythms, patterns, and formations possess the capacity to act as a proxy for things beyond itself and its seemingly simple physical existence. This correspondence between the glass is a layered iterative process of unmaking and remaking, engaging strategies of repetition, interference, and disruption. My aim is to create presence within the overlooked and challenge how we view, experience, and navigate our conditions.“

AUSTIN TURLEY
Variant 5, 2022
kiln formed, cold worked glass
18 x 13 x 2 cm
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
ARTIST STATEMENT
Spontaneity, improvisation and techniques of the bricoleur are the result of keen observations, which can lead to finding relevancy in the unexpected. I believe my modes of making are parallel to those of the bricoleur, exploring the notion that science and mystical thought are equivalent approaches to understanding the world around us. I am interested in the transformative character of objects as they evolve, erode, and alter throughout time. As I continue to learn and experiment with the complexities of kiln formed glass, my focus and research revolves around the language of the medium itself, how it behaves, its characteristics, and its properties. I believe emphasizing these rhythms, patterns, and formations possess the capacity to act as a proxy for things beyond itself and its seemingly simple physical existence. This correspondence between the glass is a layered iterative process of unmaking and remaking, engaging strategies of repetition, interference, and disruption. My aim is to create presence within the overlooked and challenge how we view, experience, and navigate our conditions.
CV
Austin Turley
1977 born
lives and works in Portland, OR
www.austinturley.com
@austinturley
Education
2013
- BFA, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2021
- Unparticular, Lazy Eye Ranch, Yucca Valley, CA
- Slake Thy Thirst, Forsberg Gallery, Lower Colombia College, Longview, WA
2020
- Twenty One, Gray Contemporary, Houston, TX
2019
- As Always As Usual, Blackfish Gallery Window Project, Portland, OR
2018
- Correspondence, Gray Contemporary, Houston, TX
2016
- Glean, Furthermore Space, Portland, OR
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023
- ART MATTERS 7, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne, DE (online)
- DNA, Espace Solidar Museum, Cagnes-sur-Mer, FR (upcoming)
- The Power of Infinity, Alfa Galley, online
2022
- Art Basel Group Show, Alfa Gallery, Miami, FL
- Glass Works, Bullseye Projects, Portland, OR
- Unlimited, Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Center for Art and Design, Portland, OR
- Pilchuck 50: The Next 50, Fremont Studios, Seattle, WA
- FLOW, Alfa Galley, online
- ALC Video Art Festival, Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art, Alicante, ES
- Untitled Miami, Alfa Gallery, online
- Fantasy Fountain, Co-Re, Haus der Statisik, Berlin, DE
2021
- Reflections: Pilchuck at 50, Pilchuck Gallery, Seattle, WA
- 10X10X10, Mighty Tieton Warehouse, Tieton, WA
- Videofenster, Ed Baima, Cologne, DE
- Surfing, Alfa Gallery, Miami, FL
- Experimental Film and Video 2021, CICA Museum, Gimpo, KR
- Booth 08 | Online Viewing Rooms, Alfa Gallery, Miami, FL
- Yellowstone Art Auction 53, Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings, MT
2020
- Minimalism, ShockBoxx, Hermosa Beach, CA
- Flat File 2020, Peep Space, Tarrytown, NY
- Delicious Procession, Kunstkraftwerk, Leipzig, DE
- Art From Afar: The Shape of Content, Off The Cost, online
- Hard Fluid Betrayal, Pilotenkueche, online
- Almost Tension, Alte Handelsschule, Leipzig, DE
2019
- 29th International Sculpture Conference Exhibition, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR
- Small and Smaller, Site:Brooklyn Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
- Project Room, Gray Contemporary, Houston, TX
- Was It Worth It, RedLine Contemporary Art Center, Denver, CO
- 14th National Juried Exhibition, Axis Gallery, Sacramento, CA
- Group Exhibition, Gray Contemporary, Houston, TX
2018
- Small Matters, 437CO-Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, CO
- Unlimited, PAGE Space, Portland, OR
- Everything We Do Is Music, Gallery 114, Portland, OR
- Punch Projects presents: Barnstorm, Bluestone Garage, Ellensburg, WA
- Left Coast Annual, Sanchez Art Center, Pacifica, CA
- Valdosta National, Dedo Maranville Gallery-Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA
2017
- 40 Under 40, Fort Works Art, Fort Worth, TX
- nternational Juried Show, Larkin Arts, Harrisonburg, VA
- Texas National, The Cole Art Center-Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches, TX
2016
- Glass Works, Bullseye Resource Center, Portland, OR
- The Reconsidered Landscape, Perry and Carlson, Mount Vernon, WA
- State of the Unions, Core New Art Space, Denver, CO
2015
- ethos, pathos, logos, Gallery 114, Portland, OR
- Abstract Sanctuary, Verum Ultimum, Portland, OR
- The National Chautauqua Exhibition: Strategizing, Giles Gallery-Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
2014
- The Living Mark, Verum Ultimum, Portland, OR
- 19th Annual Arts in Harmony International Show, The Sherburne County Government Center, St. Paul, MN
Residencies / Awards
2023
- Rent Free Residency, Off the Cost, online (upcoming)
2022
- Gold Award, Glass Works, Bullseye Projects
- Hafnarborg Residency, Hafnarfjörður, IS
2021
- Yucca Valley Material Lab Residency, Yucca Valley, CA
2020
- Hangar Residency, Lisbon, PT
- Pilotenkueche Residency, Leipzig, DE
2019
- Working Artist Grant / Purchase Award, Working Artist Org
- Career Opportunity Grant, Oregon Arts Commission
- Hinge Arts Residency, Fergus Falls, MN
- Travel Grant, Springboard for the Arts
2017
- Professional Development Grant, Regional Arts and Cultural Council
- Arquetopia Residency, Puebla, MX
2016
- Glean Residency, Portland, OR
__________
ELIZABETH CHARNOCK: Winner Online Solo Show
Congratulations to ELIZABETH CHARNOCK: The young artist (born 1990 in the UK, lives and works in Berlin) is today the first of our two ART MATTERS 7 winners and will be presented with a selection of her ink drawings in an online solo exhibition on our website and social media channels in late 2023 (TBD)! Charnock's uninhabited spaces and urban situations are hauntingly beautiful. With her focused and clear visual vocabulary, she succeeds in stimulating our playful imagination. Her painterly minimalism also allows for open associations about our modern civilisation. We feel very connected to the artist's work, look forward to the collaboration and are excited to see where it will take us!
"The built environment and urban planning ideologies are common themes throughout her practice. Spatial relationships inform her work at all scales – from entire cities and street scenes, to the seemingly banal small structures which permeate our surroundings. By referencing a large body of documentary photography, she mentally collages multiple urban elements into imagined environments, which are meticulously rendered with multiple layers of ink on paper.
Her work often captures moments ‘in-between’ – miniature snapshots of tranquility before or after human activity. The scenes she creates inhabit realms that are entirely fictional, yet instantly recognisable. The uninhabited spaces evoke feelings of isolation, offering familiarity – but only at a distance – whilst inviting the viewer to reassess their own sense of place within the setting."

ELIZABETH CHARNOCK
50 x 40 cm (without frame)
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
ARTIST STATEMENT
Originally from the UK, Elizabeth Charnock has lived and worked in Berlin since 2015.
The built environment and urban planning ideologies are common themes throughout her practice. Spatial relationships inform her work at all scales – from entire cities and street scenes, to the seemingly banal small structures which permeate our surroundings. By referencing a large body of documentary photography, she mentally collages multiple urban elements into imagined environments, which are meticulously rendered with multiple layers of ink on paper.
Her work often captures moments ‘in-between’ – miniature snapshots of tranquility before or after human activity. The scenes she creates inhabit realms that are entirely fictional, yet instantly recognisable. The uninhabited spaces evoke feelings of isolation, offering familiarity – but only at a distance – whilst inviting the viewer to reassess their own sense of place within the setting.
CV
Elizabeth Charnock
1990 born in Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
lives and works in Berlin
www.elizabethcharnock.com
@elizabethcharnock
Education
2015-17
- Meisterschüler studies, Fine Art – HfBK Dresden, Prof. Martin Honert
2013-15
- Diploma, Fine Art – HfBK Dresden, Prof. Martin Honert
2009-13
- Bachelor Degree, Art and Design – University of Leeds
2008-09
- Foundation Diploma, Art – Birmingham Institute of Art & Design
Awards and Nomionations
2015
- Art Prize “Junger Westen”, Recklinghausen, nomination and exhibition
2014-15
- DAAD Scholarship for Artists, Dresden
2013
- FUAM Graduate Art Prize, Leeds Nomination and exhibition
Exhibitions
2023
- ART MATTERS 7 – Galerie Biesenbach. Cologne (online)
2022
-Spring Auction – Weserhalle, Berlin
-Game ON! Vol. 4 – Hilbertraum, Berlin
-Game ON! Vol. 3 – Künstlerhaus Dortmund
-Start to Finish – TOR Artspace, Frankfurt (co-curation)
- Art Auction for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, The Hurlingham Club – London, Hosted by Artsy
- Eleonora Nanu // Elizabeth Charnock (duo) – Ines Schulz Gallery – Dresden
- Paper Story – Ladies Drawing Club (online)
- No Splash – SWIMMING POOL STUDIO, Berlin (solo)
2021
- Guest Exhibition @ Studio Ella Becker – Berlin (solo)
- Spring Auction, Weserhalle – Berlin-Neukölln
- Maratona di visione – Officina15, Bologna
2020
- REKORD – Kunstkaufhalle – ACUD Galerie, Berlin-Mitte
2019
- roundabout – BCMA Berlin
- Downsized – Raum2, Gallery Grölle Pass Projects, Wuppertal (solo)
- Presence III – 48h Neukölln, Fincan Neukölln, Berlin
- Chronicle – Projektraum Bethanien, Berlin
- Welcome To the Pink – Fincan Neukölln, Berlin
2018
- Heatwave – Gallery Ines Schulz, Dresden (duo)
- Talking Modern – Geh8, Dresden
- Existenz – Academy of Fine Arts, Dresden
2017
- Now! – Galerie Ines Schulz, Dresden (duo)
2016
- Nach Wroclaw, nach Wroclaw! – Breslau Contemporary Museum, Poland
- Hängung #3 – Gerson Höger Gallery, Hamburg
- GorbatSHOW Plus – AK 68 Gallery im Ganserhaus, Wasserburg
- Meisterschülerausstellung – Kunstmesse Dresden
- DCA Rundgang Ausstellung – Gallery Stephanie Kelly, Dresden
2015
- Kunstpreis Junger Westen – Kunsthalle Recklinghausen
- Diplomausstellung – Academy of Fine Arts, Dresden
- Bilderladen – Galerie Holger John, Dresden
- Minimal Art Gallery – Academy of Fine Arts, Dresden
- Points on a Compass – BISHOP Gallery, Dresden
2014
- Kunstlotterie – Gallery m2a, Dresden
- Jahresausstellung – Academy of Fine Arts, Dresden
2013
- Degree Show – University of Leeds
- Best of Degree Shows – Six Foot Gallery, Glasgow
- FUAM Graduate Art Prize – Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, Leeds
__________
OVERVIEW OF OUR TOP 15

Our TOP 15 is complete – thank you for participating in our online group show to (from top left): Stephen Whatcott, Benjamin Schoones, Tom Cartmill, Petra Schmidt, Anja Rausch, Austin Turley, Pascal Ungerer, John Trashkowsky, Nicolas Vionnet, Heike Weber, Sinéad Butler-Aldridge, Nadine Karl, David Mohr, Elizabeth Charnock & Jaewon Kim.
Check out our last 15 posts further down or on Instagram to find out everything about ART MATTERS 7 and the 15 artists/artworks we selected via our latest open call!
And make sure to come back later when we declare the two winners of our online competition. It is finals day today and we reveal:
- at 5pm the artist who will be rewarded an online solo show
- at 6pm the artist who will be invited to participate in a group show in our gallery in Cologne.
About:
Also for the 7th ART MATTERS round, it was not easy for us to choose only 15 artists for our online exhibition from the many great submissions we received in response to our 7th open call for artists. But it was a great pleasure for us to discover so many great artists! There are so many remarkable things out there, but we cannot show them all in our gallery. The ART MATTERS series allows us to present many artistic positions from around the world to a wider online audience twice a year for just over two weeks.
Many thanks to all of you who follow this project, some of you for 7 issues already, and many thanks also to all participating artists, especially to our TOP 15 and the 45 Honourable Mentions (there are still some to be presented today!).
The works are available through our gallery until 7 May: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
The 15 Finalists:
JAEWON KIM
3D ceramic printer porcelain, pigments, aluminium
90 x 85 x 6 cm
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
It is the last day of the 7th edition of our online group exhibition ART MATTERS and we are pleased – before we announce the two winners of our call for entries on tomorrow's final day – to present the Seoul-born artist JAEWON KIM (born 1987, lives and works in Hamburg). His work is characterised by the reinterpretation of an object's texture, blending the boundaries of history, place, culture, the familiar and the unfamiliar. Read more about Jaewon Kim and his work below, including his artist statement.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
In linguistics, "translation" describes the transfer of a word from one language to another. For me, art is also a language. Analogously, translating objects into digital art requires recognising and interpreting nuances, idiosyncrasies and identities in order to create a bridge between different cultures and convey the desired meaning in an artistic context. With my installations, I respond to the latest technological developments in an increasingly digital culture. I am not interested in a perfect reproduction, i.e. a simple duplication, but precisely in the accidental, breaks and traces of production processes that always remain inscribed in the material objects.
My sculptures thus combine characteristics of the digital age with traditional, cultural, historical and literary aspects and are a kind of intercultural communication between different art cultures. With the digital translation and reinterpretation of objects that reveal a "personal signature" due to their history and method of production, I produce emotional and poetic works that are individual and special despite the purely technical manufacturing process and thus stand in contrast to the expectations of anonymous digital art production.
Processes of translation, of displacement and condensation, of transformation play a continuous role in my work. Collective narratives, literary, historical and scientific references intersect here with subjective and associative moments that allow diverse and plural approaches. Accordingly, I understand my artistic works as an investigation of a superimposition of technical, social, collective and aesthetic orders, against the background of an increasingly digitalised culture.
CV
Jaewon Kim
1987 born in Seoul, South Korea
lives and works in Hamburg
www.jaewon-kim.com
@jw_jaewonkim
Jaewon Kim studied photography at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2010. In 2018, he completed his Bachelor's degree in Sculpture at the HFBK Hamburg with Thomas Demand and Ceal Floyer. In September 2022, he successfully completed his Master's degree in Sculpture with Thomas Demand and Martin Boyce.
Jaewon Kim reproduces objects that are transformed into different forms based on the original. The translations of everyday objects as well as cultural, traditional and historical objects into the digital, three-dimensional printing process serve to unify and approximate the individual characteristics of the objects. The characteristics of his works are characterised by the reinterpretation of the object's textures, merging the boundaries of history, place, culture, the familiar and the unfamiliar.
Education
2018-22
- MFA Fine Art, University of Fine Arts of Hamburg (HFBK), Class. Prof. Thomas Demand and Martin Boyce
2014-18
- BA Fine Art, University of Fine Arts of Hamburg (HFBK), Class. Prof. Thomas Demand and Ceal Floyer
Exhibitions
2023
- ART MATTERS 7, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne, DE (online)
2022
- Approaching the Unknown, Galerie der HFBK, Hamburg, DE
- Master Absolventenausstellung HFBK, Hamburg, DE
- Fluid Grounds, a&o Kunsthalle, Leipzig, DE
- Transitions, Frappant Galerie, Hamburg, DE
2021
- There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground, Galerie Genscher, Hamburg, DE
- Open House, Atelierhaus Speicher2, Münster, DE
- Sad Fish || Bad Fish, LICHTHOF Theater, Hamburg, DE
- FATA MORGANA, Raum linksrechts, Hamburg, DE
2020
- Post Territory Ujeongguk, Seoul, KR
- MOM Art Space, Hamburg, DE
2019
- Hiscox Kunstpreis 2019, Hamburg, DE
- DIONYSOS END?, Hinterconti, Hamburg, DE
2018
- Kombi6, Kunstquartier Bethanien, Berlin, DE
- Absolventenausstellung der HFBK, Hamburg, DE
2017
- Check in please, Oneroom, Seoul, KR
- Neue Welle, Kaarst Rathaus Galerie, Kaarst, DE
- Kunst Stoff Nacht, Kunsthaus Hamburg, DE
Scholarships, Prizes and Awards
2022
- Publikationsförderung Materialverlag HFBK
2019
- Hiscox Kunstpreis (Nominierungen)
2016
- Freundeskreis – Projektförderung der HFBK
2012
- Portfolio review, Korea PhotoBiennale (Nominierungen) 2010 Stipendium Seoul Institute of Fine Arts
__________
ELIZABETH CHARNOCK
50 x 40 cm (without frame)
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
On the penultimate of the 15 days of our online group exhibition ART MATTERS 7, we are pleased to present British artist ELIZABETH CHARNOCK (b. 1990, lives and works in Berlin) who creates scenes with her ink drawings that are entirely fictional, yet instantly recognisable; uninhabited spaces that evoke feelings of isolation, offering familiarity – but only at a distance. Read more about Elizabeth Charnock and her work below, including her artist statement.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
Originally from the UK, Elizabeth Charnock has lived and worked in Berlin since 2015.
The built environment and urban planning ideologies are common themes throughout her practice. Spatial relationships inform her work at all scales – from entire cities and street scenes, to the seemingly banal small structures which permeate our surroundings. By referencing a large body of documentary photography, she mentally collages multiple urban elements into imagined environments, which are meticulously rendered with multiple layers of ink on paper.
Her work often captures moments ‘in-between’ – miniature snapshots of tranquility before or after human activity. The scenes she creates inhabit realms that are entirely fictional, yet instantly recognisable. The uninhabited spaces evoke feelings of isolation, offering familiarity – but only at a distance – whilst inviting the viewer to reassess their own sense of place within the setting.
CV
Elizabeth Charnock
1990 born in Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
lives and works in Berlin
www.elizabethcharnock.com
@elizabethcharnock
Education
2015-17
- Meisterschüler studies, Fine Art – HfBK Dresden, Prof. Martin Honert
2013-15
- Diploma, Fine Art – HfBK Dresden, Prof. Martin Honert
2009-13
- Bachelor Degree, Art and Design – University of Leeds
2008-09
- Foundation Diploma, Art – Birmingham Institute of Art & Design
Awards and Nomionations
2015
- Art Prize “Junger Westen”, Recklinghausen, nomination and exhibition
2014-15
- DAAD Scholarship for Artists, Dresden
2013
- FUAM Graduate Art Prize, Leeds Nomination and exhibition
Exhibitions
2023
- ART MATTERS 7 – Galerie Biesenbach. Cologne (online)
2022
-Spring Auction – Weserhalle, Berlin
-Game ON! Vol. 4 – Hilbertraum, Berlin
-Game ON! Vol. 3 – Künstlerhaus Dortmund
-Start to Finish – TOR Artspace, Frankfurt (co-curation)
- Art Auction for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, The Hurlingham Club – London, Hosted by Artsy
- Eleonora Nanu // Elizabeth Charnock (duo) – Ines Schulz Gallery – Dresden
- Paper Story – Ladies Drawing Club (online)
- No Splash – SWIMMING POOL STUDIO, Berlin (solo)
2021
- Guest Exhibition @ Studio Ella Becker – Berlin (solo)
- Spring Auction, Weserhalle – Berlin-Neukölln
- Maratona di visione – Officina15, Bologna
2020
- REKORD – Kunstkaufhalle – ACUD Galerie, Berlin-Mitte
2019
- roundabout – BCMA Berlin
- Downsized – Raum2, Gallery Grölle Pass Projects, Wuppertal (solo)
- Presence III – 48h Neukölln, Fincan Neukölln, Berlin
- Chronicle – Projektraum Bethanien, Berlin
- Welcome To the Pink – Fincan Neukölln, Berlin
2018
- Heatwave – Gallery Ines Schulz, Dresden (duo)
- Talking Modern – Geh8, Dresden
- Existenz – Academy of Fine Arts, Dresden
2017
- Now! – Galerie Ines Schulz, Dresden (duo)
2016
- Nach Wroclaw, nach Wroclaw! – Breslau Contemporary Museum, Poland
- Hängung #3 – Gerson Höger Gallery, Hamburg
- GorbatSHOW Plus – AK 68 Gallery im Ganserhaus, Wasserburg
- Meisterschülerausstellung – Kunstmesse Dresden
- DCA Rundgang Ausstellung – Gallery Stephanie Kelly, Dresden
2015
- Kunstpreis Junger Westen – Kunsthalle Recklinghausen
- Diplomausstellung – Academy of Fine Arts, Dresden
- Bilderladen – Galerie Holger John, Dresden
- Minimal Art Gallery – Academy of Fine Arts, Dresden
- Points on a Compass – BISHOP Gallery, Dresden
2014
- Kunstlotterie – Gallery m2a, Dresden
- Jahresausstellung – Academy of Fine Arts, Dresden
2013
- Degree Show – University of Leeds
- Best of Degree Shows – Six Foot Gallery, Glasgow
- FUAM Graduate Art Prize – Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, Leeds
__________
DAVID MOHR
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
On the 13th day of our online group exhibition ART MATTERS 7, we are pleased to present US artist DAVID MOHR (b. 1985, lives and works in Northern California) with a meditative painting whose title Hesychia (ancient Greek Ἡσυχία Hēsychía) means the personification of calm in Greek mythology. Read more about David Mohr and his work below, including his artist statement.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
The human touch and a process of making have always been at the center of David Mohr's work. He creates paintings that exist in between depth and flatness; bringing attention to the immediate surface while suggesting nuances in space and form. Mohr builds surfaces of attentive color and line that reveal their own making as a way to cast doubt on any idea of a concluded, perfect absolute.
CV
David Mohr
1985 born
lives and works in Northern California
www.davidmohrstudio.com
@david_mohr
Education
- MFA, Mills College, Oakland 2012-2014
- BA, California State University, Sacramento 2009-2012
- Sacramento City College, CA 2003-2009
Awards
- The Jay Defeo Fellowship Award, Mills College, 2014
- Herringer 1st Year Students MFA Prize for Excellence in Art, 2013
- Frederick M. Peyser Prize in Painting, Robert Else Gallery, 2011
- 1st Place Award for Artistic Achievement, Undergraduate Category, Robert Else Gallery, 2011
Group Exhibitions
- ART MATTERS 7, Galerie Biesenbach. Cologne, Germany 2023 (online)
- Small Works, Soft Times Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2022
- Salon Style, SFMOMA Artists Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2020
- Hot Fun, JAYJAY Contemporary Art, Sacramento, CA 2020
- Fresh Focus, SFMOMA Artists Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2019
- Paintings, Patricia Sweetow Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2018
- RH Chicago, The Gallery at the Three Arts Club, Chicago, IL 2015
– Articulations of Space: New work from Jane Baker Bowyer and David Mohr, Piedmont Center for the Arts, Piedmont, CA 2015
– 30 Painters to Collect, Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA 2015
- Beatnik Studios, Sacramento, CA 2015
– Constituent, Incline Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2014
– Mixed Messages, Mills College MFA Exhibition, Oakland CA 2014
– MFA Now 2014 Juried Exhibition, Root Division, San Francisco, CA 2014
– And I Guess You Were Right: Paintings by David Mohr, James Angello and Trent Liddicoat, Beatnik Studios, Sacramento, CA 2013
- ASCENT: Mills College MFA Fundraiser, Incline Gallery, San Francsco, CA, 2012
– Annual Student Awards Show, Robert Else Gallery, Sacramento, CA 2012
– Student Purchase Award Show, University Union Gallery, Sacramento, CA 2012
- CNTRL/Delete: Paintings by Digital Natives, Witt Gallery, Sacramento, CA 2011
- Greatest Hits, Bows and Arrows, Sacramento, CA 2011
- Annual Student Awards Show, Robert Else Gallery, Sacramento, CA 2011
Teaching Experience
- Part-time Faculty, California State University, Sacramento 2015-2016
(ART 20A Beginning Drawing, ART 20B Intermediate Drawing, ART 22 Beginning Painting) -Visiting Artist, Mills College, Oakland 2015
(ARTS 005 Basic Composition)
- Substitute Faculty, California State University, Sacramento 2014
(ART 122A Intermediate Painting, ART 120 Advanced Drawing)
- Graduate Teaching Assistant, Mills College, Oakland 2013-2014
TA of Hung Liu for ART 161 Advanced Painting and ART 291 Graduate Seminar
TA of Michael Hall for ART 161 Advanced Painting
__________
NADINE KARL
SUGA SUGA, SO HIGH, 2023
metal, sugar, glass
160 x 40 x 40 cm
photos: Ronja Greiner
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
On the 12th day of our online group exhibition ART MATTERS 7, we are pleased to present German artist NADINE KARL (born 1990, lives and works in Düsseldorf) with a sculptural work – an object cast in sugar – that forms part of a 3-part conceptual installation. Read more about Nadine Karl and her work below, including her artist statement.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
In my works I research different values in time relations in diverse conceptions. Materialities and their layering play an important role. In this way I try to create a simultaneity of one's own perception and transform it into multiplication.
TEXT BY JULIA STELLMANN (art critic and art historian)
translated from German by Nadine Karl
SUGA SUGA, SO HIGH
Light falls through the roof of the greenhouse, catches in glass domes. There are four of them, enthroned on metallic stelae, lending value to seemingly useless objects inside. Everyday found objects that otherwise weather in the interstices of being, through whose broken surfaces sunbeams glitter, that gleam at the dusty roadside. Just as a starry sky can sometimes be inherent in the windowed housing of broken people.
Underneath the bells on stelae armed with spikes and reflecting feet lie objects, actually made of plastic, now cast from sugar. Like past memories of a forgotten world, long gone. Each of the objects lies on the metal bars as if laid out. Memento Mori, reminding us in the present of the morning. What happens when the sun makes otherwise imperishable objects, now made of sugar, perishable? An impermanent material, but in a post-apocalyptic world more valuable than gold, than precious stone. Crystalline formations that can be touched with the eyes and mentally felt with the fingers. Do you feel the sweetness that tastes like a sticky promise on the tongue? A promise of a future that seems both near and far?
Surrounded by lava granules that contain a crunch of footsteps as if on broken glass as soon as your foot hits it on the ground. What if a collapse is closer than expected? The rock of old and new tremors speaks. Fragile realities erode, collapse, until something new grows on battered earth. Sugar beets scattered around the room are like imperial apples, insignia of a future in which only what is actually valuable has meaning. Some of the beets are made of sugar, others are not. What is wrong and what is right? When reality does not correspond to the visible? And human-made things find their way back to nature in new material garb, draw their strength from stelae as from roots and blossom under bells like flowers in greenhouses.
CV
Nadine Karl
1990 born
lives and works in Düsseldorf
Education / Work Experience
since 2023
- Meisterschülerin of Prof. Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster
since 2019
- Fine Arts - Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, Professors: Prof. Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster and Prof. Gregor Schneider
2015-19
- Saarländisches Staatstheater Saarbrücken (permanent employment as theatre sculptress)
- Staatstheater Mainz (permanent employment as theatre sculptress)
- Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe (internship as theatre sculptress)
- Staatstheater Stuttgart (internship as theatre sculptress)
- Volksbühne Berlin (internship as theatre sculptress)
2014-17
- Vocational Training: Scenic Sculptress - Werkakademie Leipzig
Scholarships / Residencies
2022
- College for Interdisciplinary Arts - Palazzo Ricci - Montepulciano (Italy)
- Nomination for the Cusanuswerk scholarship programme for talented students
- Nomination for the Art Prize of the State Parliament of NRW - Düsseldorf
- Deutschlandstipendium
- NRW Artists' Scholarship, Ministry for Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
2021
- NRW Artists' Scholarship, Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Exhibitions
2023
- ART MATTERS 7 - Galerie Biesenbach (online) - Cologne (Germany)
- Building Matter - Plast Space - Leipzig (Deutschland)
- KunstHoch - selection exhibition of the Cusanuswerkes - Karlsruhe (Germany)
- Domestic Sector (collaboration) - DaindieFront - Düsseldorf (Germany)
- Rising Action - FFT - Düsseldorf (Germany)
- Bubbly Dusk - Winterrundgang Kunstakademie - Düsseldorf (Germany)
2022
- Wetter - Kunstverein Malkasten Jacobihaus - Düsseldorf (Germany)
- Iris Origo 12 km (collaboration) - Palazzo Ricci - Montepulciano (Italy)
- Disgusted But Still Very Hungry (collaboration) - DC Open Nails Projectroom - Düsseldorf (Germany)
- Rank And File (collaboration) - Sommerrundgang Kunstakademie - Düsseldorf (Germany)
- Schuhmannfest - Palais Wittgenstein - Düsseldorf (Germany)
- Project Mayem - Atelierhaus ES365 - Düsseldorf (Germany)
- Kunstpreis des Landtags NRW - Landtag NRW - Düsseldorf (Germany)
- Just A Memory - Winterrundgang Kunstakademie - Düsseldorf (Germany)
2021
- Was bleibt? - ArtCasino - Mönchengladbach (Germany)
- Mein Haus No.2 - Herbstrundgang Kunstakademie - Düsseldorf (Germany)
- Elbow Room, Physical Education IX: half body half human @lavalounge - Kunstverein für die Rheinlande und Westfalen - Düsseldorf (Germany)
- Batch 11 (collaboration) - DC Open Live Lab Studios - Düsseldorf (Deutschland)
- Kunstpunkte - Atelierhaus ES365 - Düsseldorf (Germany)
- Theater der Welt - Schauspielhaus D’Haus - Düsseldorf (Germany)
2020
- An Isolated Documentary, Body in Perform - Mamut Art Project - Istanbul (Turkey)
- ArtPul Emmerich - PAN Kunstforum Niederrhein - Emmerich am Rhein (Germany)
2018
- Im Hausmeisterhäuschen - P-Collective - Mainz (Germany)
- Power House (collaboration) - Berghain - Berlin (Germany)
2016
- Pilotenküche - Baumwollspinnerei - Leipzig (Germany)
__________
SINÉAD BUTLER-ALDRIDGE
What Lies Beneath 2, 2022
oil on linen
40 x 30 cm
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
On Day 11 of our online group exhibition ART MATTERS 7, we are pleased to present Irish artist SINÉAD BUTLER-ALDRIDGE (b. 1963, lives and works in Berlin) with an oil painting, an intimate, richly layered abstract landscape. Read more about Sinéad Butler-Aldridge and her work below, including her artist statement.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
Painting defines my practice. I make intimate, richly layered abstracts, employing a range of brush marks, working with colour and gesture to create a poised and controlled internal order on the painting surface. Making watercolours en plein air during the pandemic, has liberated my recent practice in terms of subject matter and use of colour and gesture. Recent work focuses on place, real or imagined, memory and legacy. My work draws upon painting’s rich historical pool. Painters like Amy Sillman, Albert Oehlen, and Howard Hodgkin are influential. Recent solo exhibitions such as : "Coming Out of Winter "at the Irish Embassy Berlin 2023 and group exhibition "Penumbra" at FE Mc William Gallery 2020 situates my practice among contemporary female painters from Ireland.
Born in Belfast, Sinéad Aldridge graduated with a BA in Fine Art Painting at Camberwell College of Arts London, a Masters in Visual Arts Practices at IADT Dublin, and a DAAD scholarship at Die Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Karlsruhe. Sinéad is an award winning artist, solo exhibitions include: Coming Out Of Winter -Irish Embassy Berlin 2023. The Sky is Falling - Fenderesky Gallery Belfast 2019. Group exhibitions include: Comme un léger contretemps./ Like a slight hiccup. La Grange Gallery France 2022. Penumbra- FE McWilliam Gallery N. Ireland 2020. Way Out- International Painting La Grange Gallery France 2020. Perspectives Berlin, Tête Gallery Berlin 2020. Recent residencies include: GlogauAIR Berlin 2021. Oberfälzer Künstlerhaus Schwandorf, Germany in 2017. Sinéad is the recipient of awards from the Arts Council of Ireland & Northern Ireland Film Council. Her work is held in public collections including the Art Council Northern Ireland and National University of Ireland Galway.
CV
Sinéad Butler-Aldridge
1963 born in Belfast
lives and works in Berlin
www.sineadaldridge.eu
@sineadaldridge
Education
- MA in Visual Arts Practices, I.A.D.T, Institute of Art & Technology Dublin
- BA Hons Fine Art Painting, University of Art Camberwell, London
Awards & Residencies
2022
- Agility Award Arts Council Ireland
2021
- Glougau Art Virtual 3 month residency awarded by Art Connect Berlin Aug- Sept 2021
2017
- Artist in Residence Oberpfälzer Künstlerhaus in exchange with Tyrone Guthrie Centre, one month residency Schwandorf Germany
2004
- An Chomhairle Ealaíon Major Bursary Ireland
2002
- Ballinglen Arts Foundation 2 month Residency
1998
- Artist in Residence HMP Maze Prison facilitated by Prison Arts Foundation Belfast N. Ireland
- Artist in Residence Mayo County Council working with schools in rural Nephin Beg Area
1997
- Irish Museum of Modern Art IMMA Dublin Artists in Residence 3 month studio residency
1996
- IONTAS 96 Painting Prize Judges: Andrea Schlieker (Tate Modern director of exhibitions) & Robbie McDonald Ireland
- Arts Council Artist in Residence Award Ireland
1994
- Northern Ireland Film Council Award N.Ireland UK
- Artist in the Community Award Ireland
- Artist in Residence Model Niland Centre Sligo Ireland
1993
- Arts Council Materials Grant. Ireland
1984
- Deutscher Akadamischer Austauschdienst Award (DAAD) Germany
Solo Exhibitions
2023
- Coming Out Of Winter The Irish Embassy Berlin
2019
- The sky is falling Fenderesky Gallery Belfast N. Ireland
2015
- After Image: Fenderesky Gallery Belfast
2010
- Unattainable/ Joy Ashford Gallery Royal Hiberian Academy Dublin 2008 Works & Days Sligo Art Gallery
2006
- Penumbra: New Paintings The Dock Carrick-on-Shannon
2003
- New Work: Fenderesky Gallery Belfast
2002
- Fast Time: Model::Niland Sligo
1999
- Light Sleep of Space Sligo Art Gallery
1997
- Giotto’s Blue Jo Rain Gallery Dublin
1994
- The Broken Jug The Arts Council of Ireland Dublin
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023
- ART MATTERS 7, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (online)
- Spice Bag Art Show, Backhaus Projects Berlin
2022
- A Single Rose Visual Leland Bardwell Centenary The Model Sligo Ireland
- Cairde Visual Hamilton Gallery Co Sligo Ireland.
- Anonyme Zeichner/ ANONYMOUS DRAWINGS Galerie im Körner Park Berlin
- "Comme un léger contretemps..." La Grange Gallery Cernay-Lès-Reims France
2020
- Penumbra, FE McWilliam Gallery, curators: Dr Riann Coulter & Dr Louise Wallace
- Way Out, International Painting La Grange Gallery curated by Ludovic Derillez France
- Drawing the Unknown Fenderesky Gallery Belfast N.Ireland UK
- BEEP: International Painting Biennale Judges Enzo Marra & Steph Goodger Wales UK
- Perspectives Berlin, Tête Gallery curated by Morgan Stokes Berlin Germany
2019
- Take Place, Das Institut für Alles Mögliche curated by Ming-Lu Berlin Germany
- Art Spring Kunstfestival Open Studios in Pankow Berlin Germany
- LEGACY, 30th Anniversary of Boyle Arts Festival, curated by Paul McKenna, King House, Boyle, Co. Roscommon Ireland
- Buildings are like Birds Fenderesky Gallery Belfast N.Ireland UK
- Cairde Vsual, Model Niland Arts Centre Co Sligo Ireland
2018
- BEEP: International Painting Biennale Judges Andre Stitt Swansea Wales UK
- 188th RHA Annual Exhibition Dublin Ireland
2016
- Selected Artists Fenderesky Gallery Belfast N.Ireland UK
- BEEP: International Contemporary Painting Judges Shani Rhy James & Jonathan Watkins
2014
- Kaleidoscope: curated by Christopher Galvin-Harrison for Sturiale Art Smartno Slovenia 2014
2012
- Die Sprache ist das Haus in dem wir leben, Kunstlerverein Malkasten Düsseldorf. (Video)
2010
- Accorage, La Galeria Dora Bassi Sturiale Contemporary Arts Exibition Gorizia Italy
- Pirate capital. Public Gesture. WinkWink (Performance) The Lab Dublin Ireland
- Shamlessness (Performance ) The Lab Dublin. Ireland
2009
- Occasion: Sinead Aldridge, Micky Donnelly, Patricia Doherty, Fionnuala D’Arcy & Nathalie Du Passquier Fenderesky Gallery Belfast. N.Ireland
- Eigse Arts Festival: Invited Artist Carlow Ireland
- Ballinglen Arts Foundation at the Lavit Gallery Cork. Ireland
2005
- Boyle Arts Festival Invited Artist. Boyle Co. Roscommon ireland
2004
- “Iontas Award Winners “ Sligo Art Gallery, Hunt Museum Limerick, Millennium Court Arts Centre Portadown N.Ireand
- Colour & Touch: Sinead Aldridge & Cian Donnelly National University Galway Ireland
- Out of Context: Contemporary Irish Painting Sinead Aldridge, Ronnie Hughes, Mary Lohan, Terry Mc Allister, Mark mc Greevy Archeus Gallery London UK
2002
- Mc Sweeney & Friends, Boyle Arts Festival, Co Roscommon Ireland
Selected Biography
2023
- Hambly & Hambly Residency Award Catalogue
2022
- "Comme un léger contretemps" exhibition catalogue featuring 64 international painters.
2021
- GlougauAir Berlin Artist interview with curator Laura Olea López Youtube 47:15mins 30 Aug
- Glougau Air Residency Publication Catalogue Open Studios 52 Page Colour Published Sep 1
2020
- Penumbra:Painting Materialising in the Almost-shadow. Exhibition catalogue Text Dr. Cherie Driver. Introduction Dr Riann Coutler & Dr Louise Wallace 46 page colour, ISBN (Print) 9781908455246 Published - 15 Feb 2020
- The Unseen shows- Materialising in the Almost-shadow: VAN July/ August 2020 Issue
- Penumbra: Exhibition online review Slavka Sverakova October 2020
- Penumbra Video – narrator Dr Riann Coulter Produced by FEMc William Gallery Sept, 24
- Way Out, 80 painters: International Contemporary painting Exhibition Catalogue Sept.
- BEEP Wales International Contemporary Painting Exhibition Catalogue
2019
- The sky is falling: Exhibition online review Slavka Sverakova 2nd June 2019 2019 Contemporary British Painting - Painting of the Day May 23 2019
- The Moth: 2 paintings Irish literary magazine Issue 38 Autumn 2019
2018
- RHA Annual Exhibition Catalogue P.105.
2015
- After Image Essay by Dr Tony Partridge for Solo Fenderesky Gallery October 2015 2016 BEEP Wales International Contemporary Painting Exhibition Catalogue
2014
- Spontaneity Issue 2 editor Ruth McKee http://spontaneity.org/issue02/a-rebours/
2009
- ‘Mixing the Éigse Recipe’, Irish Times: Aidan Dunne 19th June
- ‘From Ballinglen to Cork’ Ballinglen Arts Foundation Exhibition Catalogue March 2009
- Éigse Catalogue: Dermot Healy ‘A Sweep in Time‘ April 2009
2008
- Works & Days: Artist solo exhibition catalogue: Text by Slavka Sverakvo July 2008
2006
- Circa Art Magazine Online review by Slavka Sverakvo 5th May 2004
2004
- ‘Painting in Ireland Now’, Circa Art Magazine p32 No. 109 Autumn by Aidan Dunne
- ‘The Wurm that turns heads.’, by Adian Dunne Irish Times 16th July 2004
2003
- Sinéad Aldridge at Model Arts and Niland Circa Art magazine no. 103 p 87 : Dennis Farrell https://circaartmagazine.net/issues/issue103/
2002
- Irish Arts Review p33 Winter edition. 2002
- Irish Times : Adian Dunne RHA Annual 23rd May 5 2002
1999
- Irish Times : Adian Dunne 28th April 1999
- Arts West Magazine: Cian Donnelly ‘The Language of Thought’, interview:
1998
- On the Boyle; Irish Times August 98’ Adian Dunne
1997
- Catherine Marshall ‘Painting is A Singular Act’ Exhibition Brochure Sept 98’
1992
- Irish Times: Brian Fallon: Claremorris Open
- Irish Times Linen Hall Arts Exhibition
Public Collections
- Northern Ireland Arts Council
- National University of Ireland N.U.I. Galway Mayo County Council
- Boyle Civic Art Collection
- St Louise’s Comprehensive College. Belfast. Ballinglen Arts Foundation
- V.E.C. Co. Monaghan
Sinéad worked for 12 years as Fine Art Lecturer in Painting & Contemporary & Traditional Drawing Practice to BA students at the Institute of Technology Sligo Ireland.
She has delivered numerous public presentations and workshops; working with a wide variety of social groups such as: Prisoners at HMP Maze Prison Northern ireland -3 month residency facilated by Prison Arts Foundation Belfast (1998), Itinerant Women at a haulting site in Sligo (1999), Pensioners & school children in The Maugherow Pilot Project hosted by Sligo County Council (1997-99), The Nature Of Sligo Project with National Schools (2010), Students at the National University of Galway Muscailt Festival (2012),Strange Messenger at the Model Gallery Sligo-a response to Patti Smith Exhibition (2006).These creative projects have impacted positively on the wider community and have been realised with the cooperation of arts organisations & institutions.
__________
HEIKE WEBER
Keramik | grün | 4 Bögen, 2022
clay, fired, glazed
18,5 x 12,5 x 7 cm
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
On Day 10 of our online group exhibition ART MATTERS 7, we are pleased to present German artist HEIKE WEBER (b. 1971, lives and works in Cologne), whose minimalist sculptures – here a glazed ceramic consisting of 4 green arches – represent a play with space, form and colour. Read more about Heike Weber and her work below, including her artist statement.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
In my artistic approach, when dealing with spatial works and forms, I am particularly interested in lines that describe and form spaces by connecting with each other, forming interior spaces. The arch as a basic geometric shape describes its own space, shows us an inside and outside and offers a kind of shelter. Two-dimensional forms and surfaces become three-dimensional objects. Clear concrete forms, monochrome in colouring, allow the objects to appear playfully in space, each one an individual or arranged in several parts as a group, they become three-dimensional sculptures.
I also work two-dimensionally with surfaces as forms, connecting them with each other, juxtaposing them, creating interactions and superimpositions, is an exploration of two-dimensionality, which I understand as a game in my work.
CV
Heike Weber
1971 born in Cologne
lives and works in Cologne
www.heike-weber-koeln.de
@heikeweber.cologne
Education & Experience
2022
Studio foundation | Signalwerk Frechen Art Centre | Advanced training in glazing techniques
2020-21
Advanced Class | Sculpture Hall Bonn | Welding Course | Advanced Training Porcelain Casting
2019-20
Postgraduate studies | Bildhauerhalle Bonn
2014-19
Basic studies in sculpture | Bildhauerhalle Bonn bei Paul Advena
2012-14
Various further artistic training courses | trimester sculpture with Sebastian Probst, Cologne
since 2007
Mixed techniques on canvas
2005-07
Study of painting | Freie Kunstschule Köln
Selected Exhibitions
2023
- Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne | ART MATTERS 7 (online)
- Stadtwerke Galerie Troisdorf | „Fast Vergessen“ | GEDOK Bonn
- Signalwerk Frechen | FrühjahrsKunstSalon | „Na und!?“
- Kunstverein Bad Godesberg | Glaskarree | Group Show
2022
- Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne | ART MATTERS 6 (online)
- Frauenmuseum Bonn | 27. ArtFair
- The Stage Gallery Köln | Stage Vol. 3
- The Stage Gallery Köln | All the Glitters
- Signalwerk Frechen | FrühjahrsKunstSalon | rosarot und himmelblau
- Kunstverein zu Frechen | Denn was innen ist, das ist außen
- The Stage Gallery Köln | Back in Black
2021
- Kunstzentrum Signalwerk, Frechen | offene Ateliers
- Bildhauerhalle Bonn | Projektraum Skulptur
- ArtFair Luxembourg | VanGoghArtGallery, Madrid
2020
- Bildhauerhalle Bonn | Verdichtung und Auflösung
2019
- Bildhauerhalle Bonn | Werkschau
since 2014
- permanent exhibitions of my paintings in public and private spaces
__________
NICOLAS VIONNET
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
On Day 9 of our online group exhibition ART MATTERS 7, we are pleased to present Swiss multi-disciplinary artist NICOLAS VIONNET (b. 1976, lives and works in Zurich), creator of thought-provoking, jarring and sometimes playful interventions between objects, conceptual paintings and installations which provoke a dialogue with their environment. Read more about Nicolas Vionnet and his work below, including his artist statement.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
Swiss artist Nicolas Vionnet is fascinated by irritations. A multi-disciplinary artist, Vionnet is creator of thought-provoking, jarring and sometimes playful interventions between objects, conceptual paintings and installations which provoke a dialogue with their environment. His works do not shout for attention, but instead present themselves through subtlety and wit. To engage with his works is to feel a build-up of tension that challenges viewers and triggers curiosity.
Like an electrician wiring a circuit, Vionnet interconnects objects together. However, instead of closing the circuit and creating functionality through the correct interconnection, Vionnet‘s work may appear functional for a split second and then impossible on second glance. In 221 Reasons To Say No a set of bathroom scales is bedecked with metal nails pointing upwards, while in Always Stand On The Bright Side Of Life a floor lamp merges with a walking frame. An industrial power socket with a wig stuck inside is called: To Be Honest, I Never Wanted To Become An Electrician Anyway. Each object is in itself commonplace, with the titles of the interventions also somehow familiar, yet by integrating elements and the visual language of each object, the artist achieves the reaction he hopes for: irritation, reflection, a smile.
With his indoor, and sometimes outdoor installations, Vionnet continues his principle of irritation and integration. These are interventions of the quiet kind, where the viewer is invited to enter into a dialogue. When describing his process, Vionnet speaks of “non- hierarchical dialogue“ where the artistic work does not rise above its environment and its message is not pre-defined by the artist. In this sense, viewers can also be understood to be part of the environment of an object or an installation; their internal processes, irritation, amusement or lack of understanding become part of the work and are all equally valid. Vionnet says, “the expression ‚non-hierarchical dialogue with the environment’ describes my conviction that the work of art itself should never dominate. Actually, there shouldn‘t be a hierarchy. Ideally, there is a balance between work and the environment. This balance enables the viewer to perceive both components at the same time.”
Nicolas Vionnet lives and works in the Zurich metropolitan area. He has finished his studies at the Academy of Art and Design in Basel. In 2009 he graduated from the Bauhaus-University Weimar with a Master’s degree in Public Art and New Artistic Strategies.
CV
Nicolas Vionnet
1976 born in Basel
lives and works in Zurich
www.nicolasvionnet.ch
@nicolasvionnet
Education
2007-2009
- Master of Fine Arts, Public Art and New Artistic Strategies, Bauhaus University, Weimar (GER) Studies with Prof. Liz Bachhuber (Bauhaus University Weimar) and visiting professors Prof. Sandra Johnston (University of Ulster, Belfast), Prof. Mika Hannula (former director, Helsinki Academy of Fine Arts), Prof. Tanya Eccleston (Glasgow School of Art), Prof. Tracey Warr (Oxford Brookes University) and Prof. Mick O’Kelly (National College of Art and Design, Dublin)
1999-2004
- Cooperation Master of Arts in Art and Design Education: Teaching Qualification for Upper Secondary Education, Academy of Art and Design, Basel (SUI)
Selected Scholarships and Awards (2013-2023)
2023
- Merit Award, Kite Prize for contemporary Art, Amie Potsic Art Advisory, Pennsylvania (USA)
2019
- Finalist, YICCA International Contest of Contemporary Art, HDLU (Hrvatsko drustvo likovnih umjetnika), Prsten Gallery, Zagreb (CRO)
2019
- Winning Artist, RADAR - Convocatoria para Artistas, Associazione Radar, San Dona di Piave, Venezia (ITA)
2016
- Shortlisted, 4th International Emerging Artist Award, Dubai (UAE)
2016
- Finalist, Taboo Art Prize, Celeste Network, Galleria Poggiali & Forconi, Florence (ITA)
2014
- Top 40 Winner, Juried Competition, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art (LACDA), curated by Joanna Szupinska-Myers, California Museum of Photography und Ryan Linkoff, LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), Los Angeles (USA)
2013
- Top 25 Artists, Dave Bown Projects - 6th Semiannual Competition, curated by Marisa J. Pascucci (Boca Raton Museum of Art), Reto Thüring (Cleveland Museum of Art) und Adelina Vlas (Philadelphia Museum of Art), USA
Selected Solo Exhibitions (2007-2021)
2021
- To be honest, I never wanted to become an electrician anyway, BBA Gallery Berlin (GER)
2019
- Gasträume - Pubic Art in Zurich, Tessinerplatz Zurich (SUI)
2017
- Alles muss rein! Griesbadgalerie / public space, Ulm (GER)
2016
- Silence III, widmertheodoridis, Zurich/Eschlikon (SUI)
2014
- Frisch!, Galerie visarte (Visual Arts Association Switzerland), Zurich (SUI)
2013
- Warum Denken traurig macht, AKKU Kunstkiste, Uster/Zurich (SUI)
2011
- Silence I, WIDMER+THEODORIDIS contemporary, Zurich (SUI)
2008
- Keep off the grass, BStU Erfurt (GER)
2007
- Unwetter, Hippopotamus contemporary, Basel (SUI)
Selected Group Exhibitions (2012-2023)
2023
- ART MATTERS 7 (online), Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (GER)
- About Face, Bedford Gallery, Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek (USA)
- ARTMUC Art Fair, BBA Gallery Berlin, Munich (GER)
- The Power of Infinity (online), Alfa Gallery, New York / Miami (USA)
2022
- Fondation JetztKunst, No.13, Gartenbad Eglisee, Basel (SUI)
- Emerging Artists (online), Dodomu Gallery, New York (USA)
- Untitled Miami (online), Alfa Gallery, Miami (USA)
2021
- Interior, Kunsthalle Palazzo, Liestal (SUI)
- Garage, Community Exhibition Project, Missoula (USA)
- Back to Athens 8, International Arts Festival, widmertheodoridis, Athens (GRE)
- Twingi Land Art, Landschaftspark Binntal (SUI)
2020
- Viewing Rooms (online), Alfa Gallery, Miami (USA)
- Ars Electronica (online), Linz (AUT)
- BBA 2020, BBA Gallery, Berlin (GER)
- Alles im grünen Bereich?, Kulturort Galerie Weiertal, Winterthur (SUI)
2019
- Room 105, widmertheodoridis, Zurich/Eschlikon (SUI)
- Half A Pound of Art, Galerie Størpunkt, Munich (GER)
- YICCA - Final Exhibition, HDLU Pavillon, Zagreb (CRO)
- Fashion, Galerie Størpunkt, Munich (GER)
2018
- Onyx, Alfa Gallery, Miami (USA)
- Annual Juried Exhibition, Athens Institute for Contemporary Art, Athens (USA)
- Boys Will Be Boys, Whitdel Arts, Detroit (USA)
- Emerging Artists Vol. 3, BBA Gallery, Berlin (GER)
2017
- Turbulence Area, Main Project, 5th Odessa Biennale of Contemporary Art (UKR)
- Contemporary Landscape, CICA Museum, Gimpo-si (KOR)
- Half-Truth, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio (USA)
2016
- Les jours des éphèmeres. Alpines Museum der Schweiz, Bern (SUI)
- Taboo, Galleria Poggiali & Forconi, Florence (ITA)
2015
- Sculpture by the sea, 4th Biennial Aarhus Exhibition, Aarhus (DEN)
- The open west, The Wilson – Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum (GBR)
- Pop Linving, Schwartz Gallery, London (GBR)
2014
- Small Works, Trestle Gallery, Brooklyn, New York (USA)
- Top 40, LACDA Los Angeles Center For Digital Art, Los Angeles (USA)
- Meet! Aus der Luft gegriffen, Städtische Galerie Kubus Hannover (GER)
2013
-Trial & Error, Forum für zeitgenössische Kunst, Tübingen (GER)
- Shape the Scape - Landschaft in der zeitgenössischen Kunst. Eine Erkundung. WIDMER+THEODORIDIS contemporary, Zurich (SUI). International exhibition series in collaboration with Kit Schulte Contemporary Art (Berlin), Lehr Zeitgenössische Kunst (Cologne), Galerie Gilla Lörcher (Berlin) and Galerie Ulrich Mueller (Cologne)
2012
- Under A Tinsel Sun, Main Project, III Moscow International Biennale for Young Art, Central House of Artists, National Center for Contemporary Art, Museum of Modern Art, Moscow (RUS)
__________
JOHN TRASHKOWSKY
Red carpet, 2013
body bags, cord stands, foam
450 x 280 x 80 cm
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
On Day 8 of our online group exhibition ART MATTERS 7, we are pleased to present Swiss artist JOHN TRASHKOWSKY (b. 1978, lives and works in Switzerland) whose installations and sculptural artworks reflect on First World problems, exploitative structures of capitalism, definitions of mental and physical health, as well as war, politics and racism. Read more about John Trashkowsky and his work below, including his artist statement.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
The art of John Trashkowsky is a sharp and satirical observation of societal topics, with timeless conclusions. His remixes and new interpretations of everyday objects turn big questions of our time into unique artworks. The mission is to surprise us out of our antipsychotic, coffee-swilling, anxiety-ridden pill-popping paranoia with products that make us want to jump out of our skin, with joy or irritation. His work was presented in New York, Barcelona, Paris, Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Basel, Zurich, Sophia, Moscow, Seoul, Hong Kong and many other locations.
CV
John Trashkowsky
1978 born
lives and works in Switzerland
www.johntrashkowsky.com
@johntrashkowsky
Education
2002-2003
- F&F School for Art and Design, Zurich
1999-2001
- Academy for Design and Advertising, Vienna
Selected Exhibitions
2023
- “ART MATTERS 7“, Group show, April 08 - April 23, Gallery Biesenbach, Cologne (online)
- “Mixed Starter Vol. 5“, Group show, March 04 - April 30, Gallery 44309, Dortmund
2022
- LaLocaal, Group show Nov. 19-31, Barcelona
- “Red Tape”, Group show, May 14 – July 12, 2022, Insofar Gallery, Lisbon
- “Knotenpunkt 22”, Group show, March 11 – Dec. 2022, Affenfaust Gallery, Hamburg
- "Needful Things“ Group show, Uxval Gochez Galerie, Barcelona
2019
- Finalist, COCA Editions, Center of Contemporary Artists
- Kunstraum Waldhaus, Group show, Big Bang Goodbye, 23. Nov. 2019, Zurich
2018
- Poster Mostra, Public Art Exhibition, 03. Oct. 2018, Lisbon
- Gallery 6 1/2, Group show, Sept. 7 – 22, 2018, Zurich
- Gallery Ainori, Opening show, April 7 – May 7, 2018, Lisbon
- Kunstraum Waldhaus Opening, April 12 – 21, 2018, Zurich
- Harbour Art Fair 2018, March 23 – 26, Marco Polo Hotel, a-space Gallery, Hongkong
2017
- Camp Basel revisited, Group show, June 12 – 25, 2017, Basel
- Gallery 6 1/2, Group show, May 25 – June 10, 2017, Zurich
- Kunstsalon, Volume One, Group show, April 08 – 29, 2017, Zurich
2016
YIA – Young International Art Fair, Oct. 20 – 23, 2016 New Square Gallery, Paris
- Menschtierwir, Group show, Oct. 07 – Nov. 13, 2016, Affenfaust Gallery, Hamburg
- Swab, Sept. 29 – Oct. 02, 2016, Artspace Switzerland, Barcelona
- Don ́t be afraid, July 1 – 17, 2016, Sihlquai 55, Zurich
2015
- STROKE LTD., October 22 – 25, 2015, Artscouting Gallery, Munich
- Jungkunst Containermuseum, September 09 – 25, 2015, Winterthur
- Cityleaks Urban Art Festival, September 01 – 20, 2015, Cologne
- One Window Show, June 12 – July 12, 2015, Sihlhalle, Zurich
- STROKE, April 29 – May 3, 2015, Artscouting Gallery, Munich
- Liste Köln, April 16 – 19, 2015, Artspace Switzerland, Cologne
2014
- Blooom Art Fair, Oct. 23 – 27, 2014, Artscouting Gallery, Cologne
- V.I.C. Exposition, Sept. 19 – Oct. 5, 2014, Château Pont Chevron
- Art Copenhagen, Sept. 19 – 21, 2014, Forum Copenhagen
- En réponse à la guerre, Aug. 2 – Oct. 5, 2013, Château d ́Hardelot
- UNDER ONE ROOTH, Group show, May 24 – 31, 2014, Gum Gallery, Moscow
- cutlog contemporary art fair, May 8 – 11, 2014, The Clemente, New York
2013
- Art Edition, Dec. 5 – 8, 2013, SERTEC Exhibition Hall, Seoul
- CROSSING BORDERS with Nina Backman, Olaf Breuning, Li Wei, Dec. 13 – 23, 2013, Galerie Daniel Tanner, Artspace Basel
- YICCA Finalist Show, Nov. 8 – 29, 2013, Red House, Sofia
- Jungkunst, Oct. 23 – 26, 2013, Sulzer Areal, Winterthur
- ArtSlant Prize 2013, 8th Showcase Winner
- One Size Art Show, Jun. 1 – Jul. 1, 2013, ArtSpace Basel
- END and OVER, May 2013, NYB Art Biennale, New York
- V.I.C. very important chair, Mar. 5 – 15, 2013, Studio-Z, Galerie Christiane Peugeot, Paris
- KALC 1 – Shared Solo, Jan. 17 – Mar. 30, 2013, Gallery AB Contemporary, Zurich
2010
- Haiti Action Artists – Charity Auction, Mar. – Jun. 2010, Ministère de Culture, Hotel Salomon de Rothschild, Paris
- Long Night of the Museums, Aug. 29 – 31, 2009, MOCTA, Tacheles, Berlin
Collections
- Society of Political Beauty, Berlin
Press
NZZ
https://www.nzz.ch/zuerich/zuercher_kultur/gesteigerte-lust-auf-kunst- ld.827383?reduced=true
Casa Vogue
https://casavogue.globo.com/LazerCultura/Arte/noticia/2016/01/obras-de-arte- provocativas-criticam-modo-de-vida-atual.html
Creapills Media
https://creapills.com/covid-art-museum-musee-virtuel-20220329
The Diving Magazine
https://unterwasserwelt.de/oceancare-einweg-plastiksack-groesster-fehlschlag- der-menschheit/
The Re:Art
http://thereart.ro/john-trashkowsky-interview/
Supex Magazine
https://supexmag.com/art-by-john-trashkowsky/
__________
PASCAL UNGERER
Speculative Artefact, 2022
oil on canvas
100 x 80 cm
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
On Day 7 of our online group exhibition ART MATTERS 7, we are pleased to present Irish painter PASCAL UNGERER (b. 1978, lives and works in Cork, Ireland) with an oil on canvas work depicting a fictional landscape in which the artist fuses various places and ideas into a metaphorical space. Read more about Pascal Ungerer and his work below, including his artist statement.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am a visual artist based in Ireland. I specialise in contemporary landscape painting. My thematic interests are primarily concerned with ‘spatial cultures’ in the context of peripherality and place.
I see my work as being grounded in an archaeology of the contemporary past where I engage with a specific type of peripheral topography whilst also alluding to uncertain and speculative future landscapes.
I often examine the in-between spaces or edgelands that lie at the intersection of the urban and rural and on the margins of human habitation. I have a particular interest in obsolete structures on the fringes of urban development, ranging from antiquarian ruins to decommissioned industrial infrastructure. I see these structures as an ‘architecture of the periphery’ and an allegorical reference for time, change, and history. They also speak to the interrelationship between the built and natural world and the conflict that sometimes exists at that intersection.
I like to challenge normative perceptions of landscape painting through the prism of unusual structures and topographies. For me, many of these places represent a kind of ‘otherness’ in an often overlooked environment.
Most of my paintings are fictional landscapes where I amalgamate different places and ideas into a metaphorical space to reflect upon wider socio-geographic issues such as post-industrialisation, ecological degradation and the ‘Anthropocene’.
CV
Pascal Ungerer
1978 born
lives and works in Cork, Ireland
www.pascalungerer.com
@pascal.ungerer
Education & Qualifications
2018
- Goldsmiths University London, MFA Fine Art
2016
- Crawford College of Art & Design, BA Honours Fine Art
2004
- City & Islington College, London, HND, Photography
Solo Exhibitions
2023
- The Uillinn West Cork Art Centre (Forthcoming)
2022
GOMA - Gallery of Modern Art, Waterford
- Gallerie Burgerstockersenger Zurich, Switzerland
- Custom House Studios & Gallery, Mayo
2021
- Ghosts of Babylon, The LHQ Gallery in association with Cork County Library and Arts Service
- Shifting Planes, The Prism Contemporary, Curated by Alex Zawadzi, Blackburn, UK
2016
- Edge of Place, Solo Show, Alliance Francaise de Cork
Selected Group Exhibitions & Screenings
2023
- 'ART MATTERS 7', Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne, Germany (online)
2022
- Group Show Curated by Catherine Hammond Gallery, Bantry, Ireland
2021
- 'Monochrome' Group show curated by Kate McElroy at the Uillinn West Cork Art Centre
- Group Show, 'On the bare branches, Outside my window are buds, And this is Enough’, Curated by Alice Clifford & Ann Davoren, Skibbereen Arts Festival
2020
- Cork Artists Winter Showcase, Uillinn West Cork Art Centre
- 'Narrating The New Normal', Birr Vintage and Arts Festival
- 'Vanishing Point', screening at the ‘Lost’ Festival of Fuerteventura
2019
- 'Sunny Art Prize', Finalists Exhibition, Sunny Art Centre London
- 'Vanishing Point', SUBURBINALE Film Festival 2019, Austria
- 'Vanishing Point', London Experimental/Islington Screening, The Islington Metal Works, London
- 'Industrialised' - Art in Manufacturing in the Gallery, Festival of Making at Blackburn Museum, Blackburn, UK
- 'Vanishing Point', Experimental Film and Video 2019, CICA Museum, South Korea
- 'Vanishing Point', Soloris Film Festival, Nice, France
2018
- 'Of Memory', Presented by Damer House Gallery at CAGE Gallery, LOOP Festival 2018, Barcelona
- 'Binary/Non-Binary', GESTE 2018 Paris
- 'Homeland 2018 ‘Of Memory’ Damer House Gallery
- Goldsmiths MFA Fine Art Degree Show .
- 'Apophenia' with Marianna Maurico & Anna Kitai, Curator Alix Janta-Polczynski, Roman Gallery, London
- 'Beyond the Standard Model', Group show, Almanac Projects London
- 'Absences', Group Show, Millepiani, Rome
2017
- Deptford X - Art Festival, Deptford, London
- 'Other Fiction' - Group Show at Lewisham Art House, London
- The Solo Award'- Finalists Exhibition at the Cello Factory/Chiara Williams Contemporary
- The Creekside Open 2017, Selected by Jordan Baseman, the A.P.T Gallery, London
- 'Edge of Place', USB Shuffle 5, Abteilung fur Alles Andere, Berlin
2016
- 'EBC 10', Group Show, East Bristol Contemporary
- 'Edge of Place', screening at Obejvak Art Studios, Prague
- 'Thames the ARTery of London', Devon House, London
2015
- 'The Lives of Others', Curated by Jason Esterhazy, FotoIstanbul, Turkey
- 'Personal Mythologies', Curated by Helio Leon, TACTIC, Cork Photo
2014
- 'Eigse', VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art, Carlow Arts Festival, Ireland
- 'Pretty Vacant', Group Show in Association with Seize International, Budapest, Hungary
Awards & Bursaries
2022
- Culture Ireland Funding
2021
- Arts Council of Ireland Agility Award
- The Alpine Fellowship (Shortlisted)
2020
- Cork City Council Arts Office Individual Artist Bursary Award
- Cork County Council Artist in Residence Award at the Uillinn West Cork Art Centre 2019 The Sunny Art Prize (Finalist)
2018
- The ACS Studio Award, London, Shortlisted
- Cork City Council Arts Office Individual Artist Bursary Award
- Bloomberg New Contemporaries, (Shortlisted)
2017
- Arts Council of Ireland Travel and Training Award
- The SOLO Award, (Finalist) London Art Fair, Chiara Williams Contemporary
2016
- Goldsmiths Masters Scholarship
2016-18
- Winner of the Goldsmiths MFA Fine Art Fee Waiver Award
- Goldsmiths Excellence Award
2016
- Winner of the Alliance Francaise de Cork Solo Exhibition Award
- Visual Arts Category at the Undergraduate Awards, (Shortlisted)
2015
- Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize (Finalist)
Residencies
2023
- Artist in Residence at the Uillinn West Cork Art Centre (Forthcoming)
2021
- Artist in Residence at the Uillinn West Cork Art Centre
2020/21
- Backwater Project Residency - Backwater Artist Studios, Cork
2020
- Cork County Council Artist in Residence at the Uillinn West Cork Art Centre 2019 Artist in Residence, JOYA, Spain
2019
- Artist in Residence at the Auxiliary Project Space, Stockton, England
Artist Talks & Presentations
2022
- Artist Talk at GOMA, Waterford.
2021
- Artists talk for D.I.T MA Art and the Environment Students at the Uillinn West Cork Art Centre.
- Artist talk for students at The Crawford College of Art and Design, Cork.
2020
- Presentation of work - Marginal Habitats - at the Uillinn West Cork Art Centre
2018
- Presentation of Work to the Patrons of the Whitechapel Gallery London for Curator Habda Rashid, Goldsmiths University London
- Presentation of Work: Homeward Bound at Foto Istanbul
__________
AUSTIN TURLEY
Variant 5, 2022
kiln formed, cold worked glass
18 x 13 x 2 cm
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
On Day 6 of our online group exhibition ART MATTERS 7, we are pleased to present US American artist AUSTIN TURLEY (b. 1977, lives and works in Portland, OR) with a complexly crafted and fragile glass wall sculpture. Read more about Austin Turley and his work below, including his artist statement.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
Spontaneity, improvisation and techniques of the bricoleur are the result of keen observations, which can lead to finding relevancy in the unexpected. I believe my modes of making are parallel to those of the bricoleur, exploring the notion that science and mystical thought are equivalent approaches to understanding the world around us. I am interested in the transformative character of objects as they evolve, erode, and alter throughout time. As I continue to learn and experiment with the complexities of kiln formed glass, my focus and research revolves around the language of the medium itself, how it behaves, its characteristics, and its properties. I believe emphasizing these rhythms, patterns, and formations possess the capacity to act as a proxy for things beyond itself and its seemingly simple physical existence. This correspondence between the glass is a layered iterative process of unmaking and remaking, engaging strategies of repetition, interference, and disruption. My aim is to create presence within the overlooked and challenge how we view, experience, and navigate our conditions.
CV
Austin Turley
1977 born
lives and works in Portland, OR
www.austinturley.com
@austinturley
Education
2013
- BFA, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2021
- Unparticular, Lazy Eye Ranch, Yucca Valley, CA
- Slake Thy Thirst, Forsberg Gallery, Lower Colombia College, Longview, WA
2020
- Twenty One, Gray Contemporary, Houston, TX
2019
- As Always As Usual, Blackfish Gallery Window Project, Portland, OR
2018
- Correspondence, Gray Contemporary, Houston, TX
2016
- Glean, Furthermore Space, Portland, OR
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023
- ART MATTERS 7, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne, DE (online)
- DNA, Espace Solidar Museum, Cagnes-sur-Mer, FR (upcoming)
- The Power of Infinity, Alfa Galley, online
2022
- Art Basel Group Show, Alfa Gallery, Miami, FL
- Glass Works, Bullseye Projects, Portland, OR
- Unlimited, Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Center for Art and Design, Portland, OR
- Pilchuck 50: The Next 50, Fremont Studios, Seattle, WA
- FLOW, Alfa Galley, online
- ALC Video Art Festival, Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art, Alicante, ES
- Untitled Miami, Alfa Gallery, online
- Fantasy Fountain, Co-Re, Haus der Statisik, Berlin, DE
2021
- Reflections: Pilchuck at 50, Pilchuck Gallery, Seattle, WA
- 10X10X10, Mighty Tieton Warehouse, Tieton, WA
- Videofenster, Ed Baima, Cologne, DE
- Surfing, Alfa Gallery, Miami, FL
- Experimental Film and Video 2021, CICA Museum, Gimpo, KR
- Booth 08 | Online Viewing Rooms, Alfa Gallery, Miami, FL
- Yellowstone Art Auction 53, Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings, MT
2020
- Minimalism, ShockBoxx, Hermosa Beach, CA
- Flat File 2020, Peep Space, Tarrytown, NY
- Delicious Procession, Kunstkraftwerk, Leipzig, DE
- Art From Afar: The Shape of Content, Off The Cost, online
- Hard Fluid Betrayal, Pilotenkueche, online
- Almost Tension, Alte Handelsschule, Leipzig, DE
2019
- 29th International Sculpture Conference Exhibition, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR
- Small and Smaller, Site:Brooklyn Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
- Project Room, Gray Contemporary, Houston, TX
- Was It Worth It, RedLine Contemporary Art Center, Denver, CO
- 14th National Juried Exhibition, Axis Gallery, Sacramento, CA
- Group Exhibition, Gray Contemporary, Houston, TX
2018
- Small Matters, 437CO-Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, CO
- Unlimited, PAGE Space, Portland, OR
- Everything We Do Is Music, Gallery 114, Portland, OR
- Punch Projects presents: Barnstorm, Bluestone Garage, Ellensburg, WA
- Left Coast Annual, Sanchez Art Center, Pacifica, CA
- Valdosta National, Dedo Maranville Gallery-Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA
2017
- 40 Under 40, Fort Works Art, Fort Worth, TX
- nternational Juried Show, Larkin Arts, Harrisonburg, VA
- Texas National, The Cole Art Center-Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches, TX
2016
- Glass Works, Bullseye Resource Center, Portland, OR
- The Reconsidered Landscape, Perry and Carlson, Mount Vernon, WA
- State of the Unions, Core New Art Space, Denver, CO
2015
- ethos, pathos, logos, Gallery 114, Portland, OR
- Abstract Sanctuary, Verum Ultimum, Portland, OR
- The National Chautauqua Exhibition: Strategizing, Giles Gallery-Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
2014
- The Living Mark, Verum Ultimum, Portland, OR
- 19th Annual Arts in Harmony International Show, The Sherburne County Government Center, St. Paul, MN
Residencies / Awards
2023
- Rent Free Residency, Off the Cost, online (upcoming)
2022
- Gold Award, Glass Works, Bullseye Projects
- Hafnarborg Residency, Hafnarfjörður, IS
2021
- Yucca Valley Material Lab Residency, Yucca Valley, CA
2020
- Hangar Residency, Lisbon, PT
- Pilotenkueche Residency, Leipzig, DE
2019
- Working Artist Grant / Purchase Award, Working Artist Org
- Career Opportunity Grant, Oregon Arts Commission
- Hinge Arts Residency, Fergus Falls, MN
- Travel Grant, Springboard for the Arts
2017
- Professional Development Grant, Regional Arts and Cultural Council
- Arquetopia Residency, Puebla, MX
2016
- Glean Residency, Portland, OR
__________
ANJA RAUSCH
Zwinal, 2023
oil on canvas
80 x 120 cm (diptych)
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
On Day 5 of our online group exhibition ART MATTERS 7, we are pleased to present German artist ANJA RAUSCH (b. 1992, lives and works in Berlin) with an oil painting that brings to life an organic world of fragile yet violent, primally grown structures. Read more about Anja Rausch and her work below, including her artist statement.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
Anja Rausch's art deals with the tilting moment between physical surface and inner images. Her subjects develop from a first intuitively painted layer, which is built up during an additive painting process, to an almost photorealistic motif. This process resembles a successive comprehension of the often spontaneous, first impulses.
A "formulation“ that with each layer, each light reflection and each shading becomes more understandable and objectively readable. Formal plasticity and visual depth is of great relevance to Anja Rausch‘s concept of painting. These configurations often move between physical matter and strange, diffusely grown structures. They refer haptically to flesh, organs but also nacre, gold or fine textures of silk or hair. Central themes are: the fragile inside and the invasive outside, fertility and incarnation. Anja Rausch elaborates the concept of opposites: Adhering to the idea that opposites are fundamentally dependent, i.e. that they form a unit. In this context and tradition the artist is highly interested in alchemical worldviews and psychological models in particular the theories of C.G. Jung.
The exploration of polarities and pluralities is inscribed as a formal attitude into Anja Rausch's work. The artist ‘reads’ her work in comparison to various concepts from different fields: The images can be read as a reference to biological or geological phenomena. Their occurrence reminds one of a primal form of growth that radiates both tenderness and violence. The scale also plays an ambiguous role: Am I facing microscopic cells or a macrocosmic system? Is an abstract, physical energy state shown here, or an anatomical model? The paintings approach visual intersections from various scientific fields and connect them to humanities i.e. psychology, philosophy or semiology.
“Images are an integral part of language. In order to ‘read’ an image, we have emotional impulses at our disposal. To discuss an image, we are usually dependent on the spoken word. The German language, being my mother tongue, appears as a particularly physical one. Examining linguistic ‘images’ and tracing them back to their etymological roots form a valuable field of research within my artistic practice. Furthermore, I practice painting as an act of the unconscious: the Image, as an object of perception, can only be ‘read’ and interpreted with this inner ‘vocabulary’. Interpretation, in turn, is also influenced, if not driven, by the emotional unconscious. This perpetuum mobile fascinates me to a great extent and is reflected in my artistic language.”
CV
Anja Rausch
1992 born
lives and works in Berlin
www.anjarausch.me
@anjarauschpt
Anja Rausch (1992) is a Berlin-based visual artist with a studio space in Charlottenburg. Her artistic practice incorporates drawing and oil painting. Her delicate, luminous works inject vitality to an organic world of fragile yet violent, primal grown structures. After 8 years of painting education at a private Art-School in Aschaffenburg (Germany), she studied Visual Communication at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences/Faculty of Applied Arts from 2012, where she graduated with a diploma in 2017. From 2017–2022 Anja Rausch developed a focus on spatial installations and scenography. To her the communicative component of exhibitions, as well as the confrontational possibilities that images can unfold in space beyond their actual medium and through interconnected series, are crucial to her artistic approach. Anja Rausch‘s work questions for polar relations and explores pluralities in perceived opposites. In other words: There are equal things that are always different. There are different things that are the same.
Selected Exhibitions
2023
- group exhibition "ART MATTERS 7", Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (online)
- solo exhibition "Morbid Orbit“, Galerie FRIZZ23, Berlin
- group exhibition #2, Artsinsquare.com (online)
2022
- group exhibition "Traumwelt“, LiTE-Haus Gallery, Berlin
2012
- group exhibition "Künstler der Remise“, Remisengalerie / Hanauer Kulturverein, Hanau
Awards
2023
- BBA Artist Prize Longlist (Option auf Shortlist)
Press
- Divide Magazin, Issue 5–featured Artist/interview Feb. 2023
- Friend Of The Artist Volume 17, April 2023
- MutualArt.com ArtRebbit.com ArtFacts.net
- Muss man mögen Podcast by Ju Schnee and Elisa Klinkenberg July 2022
__________
PETRA SCHMIDT
acrylic spray paint on concrete
10 x 5 x 5 cm
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
On Day 4 of our online group exhibition ART MATTERS 7, we are pleased to present German artist PETRA SCHMIDT (b. 1973, lives and works in Dorsten, DE and Denmark) with a unique concrete wall object characterised by an interplay of colour, form and material. Read more about Petra Schmidt and her work below, including her artist statement.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
Surrounded by colours and materials in our environment (nature, culture, architecture, fashion) my works reflect a reduced section of colours and materials on canvas, concrete and building materials. The reduction, simplification, condensation of one or two colours is of essential importance to me. Right-angled constructed colour fields/colour compositions emerge, in which my works work through the colour(s), material and reflection.
Colour density
Interplay and intuition of colour, form and material
Point of view
Describes the perspective from which the concrete wall object is viewed. I make the concrete works myself. Each wall object is unique.
CV
Petra Schmidt
1973 born in Essen
lives and works in Dorsten, DE and Denmark
Education
1997-2003
Study of architecture at the MSA Münster/School of Architecture
Selected Exhibitions (seit 2016)
2023
- group exhibition, ART MATTERS 7, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (online)
- group exhibition, Galerie r8m, Köln
- Revierkunst, Henrichshütte, Hattingen
2022
- C.A.R. CONTEMPORARY ART RUHR
2021
- Kunsthaus Essen
__________
TOM CARTMILL
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
On day 3 of our online group exhibition ART MATTERS 7, we are pleased to present British artist TOM CARTMILL (b. 1965, lives and works in Reading, SE England) with a paper work exploring the possibilities offered by using a strict grid form and monochrome palette of ink. Read more about Tom Cartmill and his work, including his artist statement, below.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
This work is from an ongoing series exploring the possibilities offered by using a strict grid form with a monochrome palette of ink on differing weights and finishes of cotton rag paper.
Change through time and the inevitable accumulation of experience are themes that have underpinned the work. The way that buildings and much used objects age, weathering and transforming with the passage of time, is a constant source of inspiration. I work at evoking such a patina in my pictures.
March, 2023.
CV
Tom Cartmill
1965 born
lives and works in Reading, SE England
www.tomcartmill.com
@tom_cartmill
Tom Cartmill is based in Reading (SE England), working from a studio unit on a farm just outside the town. Now settled in Berkshire, Tom has spent much of his adult life overseas, particularly in New Zealand, Southern Spain and Sicily. His work is exhibited widely and can be found in numerous private collections around the world, and also in a growing number of public and corporate collections.
Tom is gaining increasing recognition for his drawing: his work having been selected for a number of major exhibitions including the RA Summer Exhibition, London (2016 & 2017); The Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh (2022, 2021 & 2020) and the Royal West of England Academy, Bristol (2022, 2019, 2017 & 2016). He also won the Rabley Editioning Prize in 2017 (seeing the launch of a new print edition at the London Original Print Fair at The Royal Academy of Arts, in 2018).
Amongst other exhibitions, his drawings have been selected for the Derwent Drawing Prize (2022 & 2016), The National Open Art Exhibition, The Discerning Eye (2018 & 2020), The Art Gemini Prize (2017) and the The New Art Prize, which toured the UK during 2020 and 2021. In 2022, on the strength of his submitted mixed media works, Tom was selected as a 'Future Now Artist' for the Aesthetica Art Prize 2022 (this comes after a prior selection in 2019 for his submission of drawings).
Selected Exhibitions (since 2016)
2023
- ART MATTERS 7, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (online group show)
- Abstract Art, Sir John Madejski Gallery, Reading Museum, Reading
- Colour & Monochrome, Tarpey Gallery, Derby
- Drawing Open, No Format Gallery, London
2022
- 196th Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
- Derwent Art Prize, rue de Bretagne, Paris, France
- 169th Annual Open, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol
- SSA Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
- Reflections, Tarpey Gallery, Derby
- UNMUTE, Dunoon Burgh Hall, Dunoon, Scotland
- Derwent Art Prize, gallery@oxo, London
- Sense of Space, South Hill Park, Bracknell
- Help Ukraine: Without Reserve, Auction Collective (online auction)
- Drawing Open, No Format Gallery, London
2021
- Winter Group Show, Linden Hall Studio, Deal
- Fragments, One Paved Court, Richmond, London (solo)
- PHYLACTERY, Gallery46, Whitechapel, London
- New Light Art Prize, Bankside Gallery, London
- Wells Art Contemporary, Wells Cathedral
- Tarpey Open, Tarpey Gallery, Derby
- X+VI, Online Group Exhibition, New Art Project
- New Light Art Prize, The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle
- New Light Art Prize, Tullie House Art Gallery, Carlisle
- Reverberations, Irving Contemporary, Oxford (2 person)
- 195th Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2020
- 194th Annual Exhibition, The Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
- LOCKDOWN SERIES, Linden Hall, Deal
- OPEN iso, The Old Lock Up Gallery, Cromford
- HouseBound, CAS (Chapel Art Studios), Andover
- BOOTH 07 | Online Viewing Rooms, Alfa Gallery. Miami, US
- Black or White, Cross Gallery, Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
- New Light Art Prize Exhibition, Scarborough Art Gallery, Scarborough
- 36th Southwark Park Open, Southwark Galleries, London
- XS, Alfa Gallery. Miami, US ING Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London
- Winter Group Show, Linden Hall Studio, Deal
2019
- 167 RWA Open, Royal West off England Academy, Bristol
- Past and Present Tense, The Crypt Gallery, London
- Lines etc, OnePaved Court, Richmond, London
- Micro, AIR Gallery, Manchester
- Black Swan Open, Frome
- Painting Open, No Format Gallery, London
- In Reading Gaol by Reading Town, Turbine House, Reading
- Artists’ Sketchbooks, Mount House Gallery, Marlborough College, Marlborough
- And Gather, Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury
2018
- Winter Group Show, Linden Hall Studio Contemporary Art Gallery, Deal
- London Original Print Fair, Royal Academy of Arts, London (with Rabley Gallery)
- Black Swan Open, Frome
- Patrons and Donors, Reading Museum and Art Gallery, Reading
- ING Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London
- Painting Open, No Format Gallery, London
- Black Swan Open, Frome
- Drawing Open, No Format Gallery, London
2017
- Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, London
- The London Group Open, London
- SKETCH2017, Rabley Drawing Centre, Marlborough (& UK Tour)
- Art Gemini Prize, Asia House, London
- The National Open Art Competition, Bargehouse, London
- Drawn, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol
2016
- Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, London
- Derwent Art Prize, Mall Galleries, London
- 164 RWA Open, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol
- Henley International Arts Festival, Henley-on-Thames
- Collaborations, Veronica Stuart Arts Trust & Studio 53, Salisbury
- Brighton Art Fair, Brighton
- Partitions, Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury
Selected Collections
- Reading Museum, UK
- University of Chichester
- Abacus Group plc.
- Duchess of Kent Hospice
- New College Oxford
- Rabley Gallery
- Xafinity Consulting Ltd.
- Numerous private collections in UK and Austria, Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, United States
Selected Prizes & Awards
2022
- Aesthetica Art Prize 2022: Future Now Artist
2019
- Aesthetica Art Prize 2019: Future Now Artist
2017
- SKETCH2017 Prize Winner: ‘Rabley Editioning Prize’, sponsored by Rabley Contemporary Gallery, to develop a limited-edition print to be exhibited at the 2018 London Print Fair, The Royal Academy, London
Selected Publications
- Future Now Anthology 2019
- Aesthetica Art Prize (ISBN: 2398-6654)
- International Drawing Annual 13, Manifest Drawing Centre
- ING Discerning Eye Exhibition Catalogue 2018
- The Art & History of Whiteknights (ISBN: 978 1 909747616)
- International Drawing Annual 12, Manifest Drawing Centre (ISBN: 978 1 1940862231)
- SKETCH 2017, Open Sketchbook Drawing Prize Catalogue (ISBN: 978 0 992681715)
- Art & History of Whiteknights
- National Open Art Prize, Exhibition Catalogue (2017)
- Art Gemini Prize, Exhibition Catalogue (2017)
- Drawing Selected for AxisWeb 'Category of the Week' (March 2017)
- Derwent Art Prize, Exhibition Catalogue (Sep 2016)
__________
BENJAMIN SCHOONES
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
On day 2 of our group exhibition ART MATTERS 7, we are pleased to present Dutch multidisciplinary artist BENJAMIN SCHOONES (b. 1993, lives and works in Breda, The Netherlands) with a sculptural installation that brings together found elements in different and changing formations. Read more about Benjamin Schoones and his work, including his artist statement, below.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
Benjamin Schoones (M, He/Him, Boxtel 1993) is a multidisciplinary artist, mainly focusing on sculpture, installation, and painting.
"Kick Kick, take a dip!" At first, I was afraid, but now excited, to think twice as much, to make everything fit.
Sometimes, it is not necessarily about what can ultimately be seen, but also about the previous actions and methods that have been needed to get where we are. How do objects and materials appear in a certain way to make structures visible? Questioning and uncovering these existing structures and making connections in the multitude of things, in such a way that we can outline and emphasize them in a visual character.
In a constant interaction of rearrangement, juxtaposing, revising, and repeating certain actions, it raises questions and materialistic interactions that may cause a little tension before we get along. The objects and material sometimes need rearrangement or repetitive handling for new interactions, a place to be archived, concealed, and conserved, but it also needs a moment of space so new objects can take their role into the interplay. This questions the constant changing hierarchies and interactions within these materials and if the executive person of the handling cannot be seen as a material or object too, alongside all other current factors happening at that certain moment?
Sometimes, something that is a carrier needs to be carried as well.
Sculptural, painted, and found elements can be brought together in different and changing formations. A formal-informal fluid process with elements in constant motion sometimes solidifies in temporary structures and temporal installations. Where objects can either show changing tendencies to be either supportive or restraining. This way of working allows me to have opportunities for rest, reflection, and contingent benefits that continue to move the practice forward.
CV
Benjamin Schoones
1993 born in Boxtel, The Netherlands
lives and works in Breda, The Netherlands
www.benjaminschoones.nl
@bnjmnsch
Education
2018-22
Bachelor of Arts, St.Joost Breda, The Netherlands (graduated, with honours)
2020-21
Minor Arts & Humanity St.Joost Breda, The Netherlands
2012-17
Media Design, Sint Lucas, Boxtel, The Netherlands
Selected Exhibitions
2023
- ART MATTERS 7, online group show at Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne, DE
- A/M #4, group show at Kunstpodium-T, Tilburg, NL
- Destillaat #24, group show at extrapool, Nijmegen, NL
- Bossche Bol Bol, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, NL
2022
- It is part XXXII of an ensemble, and this ensemble is no longer necessarily ceremonial (like ducks in a pond, breaking bad, naipatta), networked collective at Museum De Pont, Tilburg, NL
- It is part XXX of an ensemble, and this ensemble is no longer necessarily ceremonial, networked collective at Museum Dhondt Dhaenens, Sint-Martens-Latem, BE
- Dimensions of Settlement, group show at Neck of the Woods III, Art Week Rotterdam, NL
- Recipes for Disaster, Cultuurnacht, group exhibition at IDFX, Breda, NL
- Lutherse Kerk, Cultuurnacht, group exhibition, Breda, NL
- Wegens Omstandigheden is er Momenteel Geen Titel, group exhibition at De Fabriek, Eindhoven, NL
- You Me, You, group exhibition at Neck of the Woods III, Rotterdam, NL
- Place to Be!, group exhibition at Galerie Pouloeuff, Naarden, NL
2021
- Envision this is part XXXVII of an ensemble that is no longer necessarily ceremonial, Networked Collective; Jam session at Dürst Britt & Mayhew, The Hague, NL
- BUT Film Festival, Performance in collaboration with Mike Anna & Savannah Bredow, Breda, NL
- Combinatietonen, Exhibition, film & performance in collaboration with Mike Anna at IDFX, Breda, NL
- It is part XXI of an ensemble, and this ensemble is no longer necessarily ceremonial, Networked Collective
2020
- Art Rendez Vouz weekend, solo performance at IDFX, Breda, NL
- de}weg}gaans}week}, daily rotating exhibition due to the closure of our collective space, Fenna Koot, Tosja van Lieshout, Mike Anna, Emmie Liebregts, Ramon de Gier, Roeland Rooijakkers, Mathilde Nobel, Abel Schaminee, Benjamin Schoones, Breda, NL
- BUT Film Festival, Performance in collaboration with Savannah Bredow & Mike Anna, Breda, NL
Experience on Giving Education
2022
- 6-week workshop at ArtEZ Arnhem. Latent Commons, Collective Making module. Networked Collective
Experience
since 2022
- Ceramics assistant Anne Wenzel
since 2021
- It’s a part of. (formerly Networked Collective)
- Slub Colo at Club Solo events; Exhibitions & Performances. Producer teaser videos for solo exhibtions
Assignments
2022
- Draaimolen festival, co-audio mixing & mastering, performance installation ‘’Transcending Bodies’’, Tilburg, NL
2021
- International Vocalist Concours ‘s-Hertogenbosch, N, sculpture concept chosen & realized, shown at Het Noord-Brabants Museum & Verkadefabriek
__________
STEPHEN WHATCOTT
The Last Night on Earth, 2022
acrylic on canvas
100 x 120 cm
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
Kickoff: We open our 7th ART MATTERS virtual group exhibition with the presentation of the British artist STEPHEN WHATCOTT (*1983, lives and works in Worcestershire, UK), whose abstract paintings seek to demonstrate instinctive, expressive mark making while still retaining a balanced composition. Read more about Stephen Whatcott and his work, including an artist statement, below.
We have selected a total of 15 finalists from the applications received in response to our latest Open Artist Call from 18/03 to 02/04. Until 22 April, we present the 15 artists and their submitted artworks one after the other – in no judging order – on our website, Instagram and Facebook. Every day at 6pm CET, we unveil another name and a new artwork, so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole.
On Sunday 23 April, we will again announce two winners of our online competition: One of them will receive an online solo exhibition at galerie-biesenbach.de (announced at 5pm), the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne (announced at 6pm).
ARTIST STATEMENT
My abstract paintings seek to demonstrate instinctive, expressive mark making while still retaining a balanced composition.
The emotional impact of the image is always the primary focus of these paintings. Ranging from great, colossal walls of paint to more free-flowing expressive forms, they are built up in many textured layers with each layer referring to the marks made previously throughout the entire process. Composed largely instinctively, the paintings are physical, both in technique and presence, but ultimately attempt to communicate on an emotional level.
With roots based in drawing, my work tends to utilise line and form. These largely monochrome abstract paintings explore solidity, texture and composition, often executed in a seemingly aggressive, or at least expressive, manner.
It is in the fundamental components of vitality, drive and feeling, the things that epitomise being alive, that are being conveyed in these pictures.
CV
Stephen Whatcott
1983 born in Cheltenham, UK
lives and works in Hampton, Worcestershire, UK
www.stephenwhatcott.com
@stephenwhatcott
Education
- self-taught
Solo Exhibitions
2018
- Heikko, Curious Duke Gallery, London
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023
- ART MATTERS 7, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (online)
- Affordable Art Fair, Battersea (Spring), London (with Caiger Art)
2022
- ART MATTERS 5, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (online)
- Affordable Art Fair, Battersea (Autumn), London (with Caiger Art)
- Black Swan Arts Open 2022, Black Swan Arts, Frome, Somerset
- Affordable Art Fair, Battersea (Spring), London (with Caiger Art)
2021
- Affordable Online Art Fair
2020
- A6 Murals Worldwide, a project by Lydia Wierenga, Netherlands
- Affordable Art Fair, Battersea, London
2018
- Winter, Highgate Contemporary Art, London
- Summer Group Show, Curious Duke Gallery, London
- The Big Mix, Highgate Contemporary Art, London
- The Secret Art Prize 2017, The Hoxton Hotel, Shoreditch, London
2017
- The Secret Art Prize 2017, The Hoxton Hotel, Shoreditch, London
- Summer Love, Curious Duke Gallery, London
- Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead, London
- Three100, No Format Gallery, London
2016
- A Curious Christmas, Curious Duke Gallery, London
- SOHO Pop-Up, L'Escargot, London
- The Art Garden Party, Curious Duke Gallery, London
- The Pastel Society Annual Exhibition 2016, Mall Galleries, London
2015
- Mix 2, The Underdog Gallery, London
- Secret Art Prize - The Winners, Curious Duke Gallery, London
- The Pancakes & Booze Art Show, Studio Spaces E1, London
- The Creative Bubble Pop-Up Show (April edition), Roxy Bar & Screen, London
- The Pastel Society Annual Exhibition 2015, Mall Galleries, London
2014
- The Curious Art-Pie Show, Curious Duke Gallery, London
- The Creative Bubble Pop-Up Show (November edition), Roxy Bar & Screen, London
- The Creative Bubble Pop-Up Show (September edition), Roxy Bar & Screen, London
2012
- Open Exhibition 2012, Number 8 Gallery, Pershore
2011
- OH! Oxford House, London
- Second Glance, Brick Lane Gallery, London
2008
- Innate Ability IV, Number 8 Gallery, Pershore
2005
- Innate Ability I, Number 8 Gallery, Pershore
Bibliography & Features
2018
- The Plus Paper, “Read between the lines” March 2018
Awards
2015
- Secret Art Prize: Category Winner: Painting
2012
- Number 8 Gallery Special Merit Award
____________________
_______________________________
ART MATTERS 6
Online Group Exhibition
1st Winner
Molly Thomson
(is currently participating in our 3-person exhibition TRIALOGUE - Aspects of Abstraction - until 5 August)
2nd Winner
Rosina Rosinski
(presented her online solo exhibition Damian from February to April 2023)
FINALS DAY: Sunday 30 October
MOLLY THOMSON: Winner Gallery Group Show
Congratulations to Molly Thomson: The Scottish artist (*1953, lives and works in Norwich, England) is the second of our two ART MATTERS 6 winners and will take part in a group exhibition at our gallery in Cologne in 2023 with a selection of her works! More about this soon.
The fact that with Molly Thomson, former MA (Painting) student at the Royal College of Art in London, we have a second female winner is pure coincidence. Her work, however, fits seamlessly into our largely abstract-minimalist gallery programme. The subject of "sculptural painting" has interested us for many years and Thomson - primarily a painter - also explores the subject of the painting and its hybrid identities.
"Beginning most often with the simple fact of the rectangular painting panel I place myself in the position of both agent and observer, using acts of cutting, reassembling and pouring to re-form - and respond to - each piece. I am interested not only in the layered facade that is presented, but also in the fact that the painting casts and contains shadows.
[…] Interior spaces are often implicated, even if only glimpsed through the smallest of openings, and I am interested in the quiet question that such breaks in the facade might pose. Sometimes the paintings are layered, suggesting compressed strata of parallel surfaces. Some paintings may quietly allude to what cannot or shouldn’t be seen, while others flex their joints or extend their surfaces with a touch more expansiveness. […]"
We already have some ideas for a group exhibition with Molly Thomson's works and look forward to collaborating with the artist in the near future!

MOLLY THOMSON
Painting with wedged interior, 2022
acrylic, filler, wooden panel
36 x 27 x 6 cm
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
ARTIST STATEMENT
My conversation is with the object of the painting and with its hybrid identities. Beginning most often with the simple fact of the rectangular painting panel I place myself in the position of both agent and observer, using acts of cutting, reassembling and pouring to re-form - and respond to - each piece. I am interested not only in the layered facade that is presented, but also in the fact that the painting casts and contains shadows. There is always a delicate balance between control and the unpredictable behaviour of materials, and the process advances by slow increments, mis-steps and revisions. Occasionally work descends from the wall and demands space or even mobility. There is play and sometimes there is humour.
Current work continues to evolve through the setting of a series of problems and displacements in each structure. Interior spaces are often implicated, even if only glimpsed through the smallest of openings, and I am interested in the quiet question that such breaks in the facade might pose. Sometimes the paintings are layered, suggesting compressed strata of parallel surfaces. Some paintings may quietly allude to what cannot or shouldn’t be seen, while others flex their joints or extend their surfaces with a touch more expansiveness. Often it can seem to me that order is provisional - something to be tampered with.
CV
Molly Thomson
1953 born in Perth, Scotland
lives and works near Norwich
mollythomson.com
@mollythomson555
Education
- MA (Painting) – Royal College of Art, London
- Diploma in Post-Graduate studies (Sculpture) – Edinburgh College of Art
- MA Fine Art (Sculpture) – Edinburgh University and College of Art
Selected Exhibitions (since 2000)
Forthcoming
2023
- At Cross Purposes, Oriel Mon, Anglesey, North Wales
- At Cross Purposes, Queen Street Studios, Belfast, North Ireland
Currrent and past
2022
- ART MATTERS 6, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (G, online)
- Group show, &Gallery, Edinburgh
- Paint Edgy, Contemporary British Painting, Ropewalk Gallery, Barton-upon-Humber, England
- An Expanding Field, Gloam, Sheffield, England
- Vitalistic Fantasies, Contemporary British Painting, Elysium Gallery, Swansea, Wales
- Line,Colour and Form, (3-person exhibition), &Gallery, Edinburgh
- Paradoxes, Contemporary British Painting, Quay Arts, Newport, Isle of Wight
2021
- ART MATTERS 4, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (online)
- Border Crossing, Pineapple Black, Middlesbrough
- Que des femmes. 6th Biennial of Non-Objective Art, Pont de Claix, France
- Perceiving Anomalies, Yellow Archangel, General Practice, Lincoln
- Rock, Paper, Scissors, Houghton Hall, Norfolk
- Orbit, Poimena Gallery, Launceston, Tasmania
2020
- Vitalistic Fantasies, Contemporary British Painting, The Cello Factory, London
- A Fine Balance, Houghton Hall, 19), 2019), Norfolk
- Image_Object, Poimena Gallery, Mona Foma festival, Launceston
2019
- neo:art prize, Bolton Art Gallery, Bolton
- Exeter Contemporary Open, Exeter Phoenix, Exeter
- Creekside Open 2019, APT Gallery, London
- The End of Lines, X Marks the Spot, Great Yarmouth
- Contemporary British Painting, Norwich Cathedral, Norwich
- Made in Britain, Contemporary British Painting, National Museum of Poland, Gdansk
- 4-person exhibition, Gray Contemporary, Houston, Texas
2018
- Artworks Open 2018, Barbican Arts Group Trust, London
- Beep Painting Biennial, Swansea Art School, Swansea
2017
- Contemporary British Painting Prize, Stables Gallery, Orleans House, Richmond Museum London
2016
- Plenty of time to lose your balance, Nunn’s Yard Gallery, Norwich
- PING, The Minories, Colchester
2014
- Of Other Spaces, Sheffield Institute of Arts Gallery, Sheffield Hallam University
- Recent Works, Thirteen A Gallery, Norwich (solo)
2012
- Regrouping, Bend in the River Gallery, Workstation, Sheffield
- x-Church, Gainsborough
2011
- Exeter Contemporary Open, Exeter Phoenix, Exeter
2010
- We Are What We Do, Stew Gallery, Norwich
2009
- Locus, Visions Gallery, Tokyo, Japan (solo)
2008
- Digital Eyes 2008-2009,Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery
2007
- Siggraph 2007, Global Eyes, San Diego, USA
2006
- Unsern Nachbarn, Haus Metternich, Koblenz, Germany
- Proof, Howard Gardens Gallery, Cardiff
2005
- V9-U9 Project, Print Portfolio, (India/UK)
2002
- On the Edge, Salthouse, Norfolk
2000
- Connections, John Innes Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich
- Drawing Connections, Beach Museum, Kansas, USA
Residencies
2011
- Orford Ness, Suffolk
2009
- Asabi School of Art, Tokyo
Writing
2017
- ‘Mary Heilmann: Looking at Pictures’, review in Journal of Contemporary Painting (issue 4.1)
- Joint guest-editor of Journal of Contemporary Painting (issue 3.1&2: Painting as Commitment)
Article
2021
- Interview with Contemporary British Painting. October newsletter
Teaching
1991-2010
- Senior Lecturer in Fine Art, Norwich University College of the Arts
ROSINA ROSINSKI: Winner Online Solo Show
Congratulations to Rosina Rosinski: The young artist (*1989, lives and works in Dortmund, DE) is the first of our two ART MATTERS 6 winners today and will - in 2023 - be presented with a selection of her paintings in an online solo exhibition on our website and social media channels! More info soon.
With the highest level of female artist participation in our ART MATTERS competition ever, it is only fitting that at least one winner is a woman. Rosina Rosinski's bold paintings and self-portraits feature strong, larger-than-life female figures and are based on Christian and mythological iconography. At first glance garish, colourful and loud, the paintings increasingly draw the viewer in, discussing gender issues and tackling themes of life, death and vanity.
Rosina Rosinski is only our second female winner after Patrizia Kränzlein (ART MATTERS 2). And it is also the first time ever that figurative art has won in our competition. This is also due to the fact that we received and were able to select from more figurative works than in all previous ART MATTERS editions.
Rosinski's works represent a completely new and exciting direction for us. They not only work in physical space, but their vibrant colours and Rosinski's meticulous way of painting clean, print-like surfaces make them perfect for online presentations. We feel a strong connection to the artist's work, look forward to the collaboration and are excited to see where it will take us!

ROSINA ROSINSKI
Home safely (Venus mourning the death of Adonis), 2022
acrylic and airbrush on canvas
150 x 195 cm
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am a female artist who was born in 1989 in Dortmund, Germany. I studied art theory and quit my master’s degree in 2019. I just had a moment when theory did not make sense to me anymore. Everyone had something to say about art and none of us had ever had a brush or a can of paint in their hand. That is when I started painting autodidactically in 2019 while working in an auction house. Since this summer I am a full-time painter.
My paintings are basically large scale self-portraits which are based on Christian and mythological iconography. I translate that iconography into the present and my own personal narrative by depicting personal experience. My portraits focus mostly on the female body and the history of its depiction, pointing out the male gaze and long-established visual perceptions. The female bodies in my paintings become more and more muscular and I depict them larger than life. That way, they can occupy a whole room, they are present, more than I am most of the time and they reveal the discrepancy between physical and psychological strength and reverse stereotypes. Biblical and mythological characters are switched gender-wise. In painting nudes, often embedded in still-lives, I point out the relationship between human flesh and meat and how both are often equated in our society. In relating meat and flesh, topics of life, death and vanity are tackled. My paintings, which in exhibitions give the recipient the feeling of entering a candy store at first glance, are really quite uncomfortable at second glance. I use bright colors and I have a very meticulous way of painting neat, print-like surfaces to conflict with dark subject matters.
CV
Rosina Rosinski
1989 born in Dortmund
lives and works in Dortmund
CV
since 2017
Folkwang Universität der Künste/Universität Duisburg-Essen
Master Art and Design Science
2013-2017
Universität Duisburg-Essen
2-subject BA Art Studies/Anglophone Studies
Solo and Group Exhibitions
2022
- ART MATTERS 6, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (online)
- Summer Edition ‘22, Circle of None, London (G, online)
- The Rise of Inside, Eve Leibe Gallery, London (G, online)
- ROSINA, Galerie Norbert Arns, Cologne (S)
2021
- From Her to Eternity, Galerie Norbert Arns, Cologne (G)
Publication
Artsin Square, Print and Digital Magazine Edition 3, ‘Summer ‘22‘
artsinsquare.com/issue3
Our TOP 15

Our TOP 15 is complete – thank you for participating in our online group show to (from top left): Zixu Wang, Rosina Rosinski, Molly Thomson, Tomica Radulovic, Christine Lee, Gemma Carson, Brennan Wojtyla, Silvia Giordani, Katya Granova, Heike Weber, Frijke Coumans, Graziela Guardino, Roberto Rivadeneira, Mattia Noal und John Brendan Guinan.
Check out our last 15 posts further down or on Instagram to find out everything about ART MATTERS 6 and the 15 artists/artworks we selected via our latest open call!
And make sure to come back later when we declare the two winners of our online competition. It is finals day today and we reveal:
- at 5pm the artist who will be rewarded an online solo show
- at 6pm the artist who will be invited to participate in a group show in our gallery in Cologne.
About:
Again for the 6th ART MATTERS round, it was not easy for us to choose only 15 artists for our online exhibition out of the many great submissions we received in response to our 6th Open Artist Call. But it definitely was a great pleasure to discover and get to know so many great artists! There is so much remarkable art out there, but we cannot show it all in our gallery. The ART MATTERS series allows us to present many artistic positions from all over the world to a wider online audience twice a year for a little more than 2 weeks.
Many thanks to all of you who follow this project, some of you for 6 issues by now, and many thanks also to – most of all – all the participating artists, especially to our TOP 15 and the 45 Honourable Mentions (there are still some to be featured today!).
We found it particularly remarkable this time that more female artists than usual applied. That there was even more international participation, especially from Eastern but also Northern and increasingly Southern European countries. There were also many more applicants than usual from Asia, North and South America and Australia and even Africa. What pleased us most, however, was that finally more figurative artists applied, as abstraction has always been predominant at ART MATTERS. All this is reflected in the selection of our TOP 15, which is more eclectic than ever before.
The works are available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
PS: Our next ART MATTERS Open Call will take place around March/April 2023 – more details by then!
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ART MATTERS 5
Online Group Exhibition
1st Winner
Vittorio Bianchi
(participated in our 3-person exhibition TRIALOGUE – Delicate Strength in January/February 2023)
2nd Winner
Arran Rahimian
(presented his online solo exhibition TIME from November 2022 to January 2023)
Following our 5th Open Artist Call, we launch our new ART MATTERS 5 online group exhibition on Saturday 9 April at 6pm CET. From all the applications received, we have selected 15 finalists, who will be presented with their submitted artworks on our website, Instagram and Facebook, one after the other until 23 April. Every day at 6pm, a new name and artwork will be unveiled so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole. The presentation of our Top 15 is rounded off by "Honourable Mentions" in our daily Instagram stories, in which we acknowledge the works of a selected number of artists who just missed the final cut (45, to be exact, posted in our Instagram stories from 10 to 24 April, 2 per day and between noon and 6pm).
On Sunday 24 November at 5 and 6pm, we will announce for the first time two winners of our online competition: One will receive a solo online exhibition, the other will be invited to participate in a group exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne.
We invite you to visit ART MATTERS 5 regularly here on our website, Instagram and Facebook.
About our ART MATTERS series:
Just like with our first four open artist call projects in April and November 2020 and again in April and November 2021, we were aware how versatile and eclectic this fourth online exhibition could be. But it was precisely the idea of an open call that appealed to us: to invite artists from the most diverse directions to apply and submit their work. From this multitude of perspectives and positions, we look forward to get an exhibition that shows a field of tension but also a symbiotic dialogue between the individual artworks. An exhibition that matches the direction and philosophy of the gallery, but also brings something new to our programme.
You can check out our first four ART MATTERS shows further down or in our exhibition archive.
PS: Our next open call will take place in March/April 2022…
The 15 Finalists:
Sunday 24 April: Finals Day 3/3 - VITTORIO BIANCHI
Congratulations to Vittorio Bianchi: The Italian artist from Milan is the second of our two ART MATTERS 5 winners today and will soon be presented with a selection of his works in a group exhibition at our gallery in Cologne! More information on this coming soon.
Of course, it is difficult to choose a winner or - as in this case - two winners from a large number of beautiful artists who applied through an Open Call. It is not a question of better or worse. Rather, it is about a feeling. As previously described with Arran Rahimian, we feel a strong connection with Vittorio Bianchi's work and believe it fits well into our gallery programme! One of our favourites since the work was submitted due to its inherent textile and also sculptural aspects, we already have a very nice project in mind that we will realise with the artist as soon as possible. We look forward to the collaboration and are excited to see what develops!

Winner 2/2: Vittorio Bianchi
R #6, 2019
polyurethane, nylon, Capaver glass fabric
119 x 83,5 cm
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
ARTIST STATEMENT
Excerpt from a text by Domenico de Chirico, curator, Milan, 2019:
Vittorio Bianchi's work focuses primarily upon one element, which can be defined more than anything as a gesture, or that of laceration. The two-dimensional nature of the materials used by Bianchi is slavishly called into question by interventions that create absences and therefore open passages to other possible dimensions, underlining their fragility and at the same time the radical elegance and preciousness of what is torn. In fact, the fabrics used by the artist in his works highlight dedicated research ranging from Taiwanese silk to Italian lampas through monochromatic textures and elaborate prints.
His artistic research therefore also extends to the study of multiculturalism with a strong reference to the historicity of the treated materials whose processing underlines the echo of the time.
CV
Vittorio Bianchi
1982 born in Busto Arsizio (Varese), IT
lives and works in Milan, IT
www.vittoriobianchi.net
@vtrbnch
Biography
Vittorio Bianchi was born in Busto Arsizio (Varese) in 1982. After earning a bachelor of Pharmacy degree in Parma (Italy), he moved to Milan where he started to collaborate with the performance artist Francesca Lolli. In 2014 he was nominated as a finalist for the Fondazione Henraux Prize and he got a note for the Celeste Prize Award. In 2019 he was selected for VIR Viafarini residency and invited to participate in Panorama #03 exhibition at Galería Fran Reus in Palma de Mallorca. His work was featured in Hystery, Issue 14, launched at Art Basel Miami in Dec 2019. He is the 3rd classified of the latest edition of Prisma Art Prize, winning the ArtRights and Artuu awards and the participation in an exhibition in 2023 at Contemporary Cluster (Palazzo Brancaccio, Rome).
Selected Exhibitions
- ART MATTERS 5, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (online), Apr - May 2022
- BIENVENUE Art Fair, Paris, group show in the booth of StudyForArtPlatform, Stockholm
- Panorama #03, group show, Galeria Fran Reus, Palma de Mallorca, Dec 2019 - March 2020.
- VIR residency group show, Viafarini, Milan, Dec 2019.
- VIR residency group show, Viafarini, Milan, Jul 2019
- Vetrina, solo show, BPM bank, Pietrasanta, Apr - May 2018.
Sunday 24 April: Finals Day 2/3 - ARRAN RAHIMIAN
Congratulations to Arran Rahimian: The young artist, Edinburgh-based artist is the first of our two ART MATTERS 5 winners today and will soon be featured with a selection of his paintings in a solo online exhibition on our website and social media channels! More info on this soon.
We feel a strong connection with the artist's work and believe it will fit in well with our gallery programme and also be beautifully communicable as an online exhibition. We look forward to the collaboration and are excited to see where this will take us!

Winner 1/2: Arran Rahimian
46 Hours, 2022
oil on canvas
76 x 70 cm (framed)
The work is available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
ARTIST STATEMENT
I consider the outdoors to be an extension to my studio; it plays a significant role in my work. My practice is conducted spontaneously and intuitively through walking. I am continually intrigued by the natural elements that surround me as their movement and presence inspire me.
As an Artist, I am excited by the unpredictability and rawness of creating a painting. I do not plan my works, nor have a preconceived idea of how they will look.
CV
Arran Rahimian
1991 born
lives and works in Edinburgh, GB
www.arranrahimian.com
@arran.rahimian
Education
2011-14
- BA Honours in Sculpture, Edinburgh College of Art
2010-11
- Foundation in Art and Design, Leith School of Art
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2021
- 'COLLECTIONS // PAGES', Anthropologie, Edinburgh
- 'LAST HAND', Bianca Bova Gallery, Chicago
- 'PAGE', Alessandro Stein, Los Angeles
2019
- 'R O L I G E', Nordic Living, Edinburgh
Selected Group Exhibitions
2022
- 'ART MATTERS 5', Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne (virtual show)
2021
- 'MEDITATIONS IN AN EMERGENCY', Curated by Alessandro Stein (virtual show)
- 'OPEN CALL WINNERS', Delphian gallery, Unit 1 Gallery, London
- 'PAGES', Galleri Kai, Copenhagen
- 'PUZZLE', Roman Sviridov, Milan
2020
- 'DEFINE A LINE', Curated by Alessandro Stein (virtual show)
- 'TO ALL OUR ABSENT DIALOUGES', Warbling Collective, London
2017
- 'OUTLOOK', &Gallery, Edinburgh
2015
- 'STILL', Patriothall Gallery, Edinbrugh
- 'Affordable Art Fair', Battersea, London
2014
- 'Its just a quick walk to the future from here', Arusha Gallery, Edinburgh
- 'Bryant & Keeling Prize', One Church Street Gallery, London
- The Manchester Contemporary, Old Granada Studios, Manchester
- 'STILL' Patriothall Gallery, Edinburgh
- Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show, Edinburgh
- RSA Opens Exhibitions, The Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2013
- ECA @ RCA exhibition, Royal College of Art, London
- Rue Villars, Aix en Provence, France
- New Word Alive (NWA) Conference, Pestalyn, Wales
2012
- Clarendon House Space, Clarendon House, George Street, Edinburgh
- Best of British, Notting Hill Mayfest, St John's Church, London
Selected Artist Talks and Workshops
2019
- CAPTURING COLOUR, Anthropologie, Edinburgh
2018
- COLOUR AND MOVEMENT, Anthropologie, Edinburgh
2016
- My Practice, University of Edinburgh, Scotland
2013
- In Your Hands, Aix en Provence, France
- Inside the mind of an artist, Prestalyn, Wales
Artist Residencies
2014-15
- Artist in resident at Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh
2013
- New Word Alive, Prestalyn, Wales
Publications
2021
- i-on, Edinburgh
- APART JOURNAL, Iceland
2019
- Home and Interiors, Scotland
- PLAZA INTERIORS, Sweden
Sunday 24 April: Finals Day 1/3 - the TOP 15

TOP 15
Our Top 15 is complete – thank you for participating in our online group show to (in order of their daily posts): Stephen Wozniak, Bianca Barandun, Stephen Whatcott, Max Geisler, Mika Natri, Elliott Mickleburgh, Arran Rahimian, Tomoko Konae, Alejandro Javaloyas, James OKeefe, Paulus Maassen, Johannes Steininger, Vittorio Bianchi, Jonathan Ducrest and last but not least Johan Van Oeckel.
Check out our last 15 posts further down or on Instagram to find out everything about ART MATTERS 5 and the 15 artists/artworks we selected via our latest open call!
And make sure to come back later when we, Galerie Biesenbach as the jury of ART MATTERS 5, declare for the first time not one but two winners of our online competition. It is finals day today and we reveal:
- at 5pm the artist who will be reward an online solo show
- at 6pm the artist who will be invited to participate in a group show in our gallery in Cologne.
About:
Again for the 5th ART MATTERS round, it was not easy for us to choose only 15 artists for our online exhibition out of the many great submissions we received in response to our 5th Open Artist Call. But it definitely was a great pleasure to discover and get to know so many great artists! There is so much remarkable art out there, but we cannot show it all in our gallery. The ART MATTERS series allows us to present many artistic positions from all over the world to a wider online audience twice a year for a little more than 2 weeks.
Many thanks to all of you who follow this project, some of you for 5 issues by now, and many thanks also to – most of all – all the participating artists, especially to our Top 15 and the 45 Honourable Mentions (still some to be featured today).
PS: Our next ART MATTERS Open Call will take place around October/November 2022 – more details by then!
The works are available through our gallery: Click here to get to our online shop.
Personal contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635
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ART MATTERS 4
Online Group Exhibition
Winner
Alireza Elahi
(participated in our group show Where the Rubber Meets the Road in summer 2022)
Following our 4th Open Artist Call, we have launched our new ART MATTERS 4 online group exhibition on Sunday 17 October at 6pm. From all the applications received, we have selected 15 finalists, who will be presented with their submitted artworks on our website, Instagram and Facebook, one after the other until 31 October. Every day at 6pm, a new name and artwork will be unveiled so that the exhibition slowly comes together as a whole. The presentation of our Top 15 is rounded off by "Honourable Mentions" in our daily Instagram stories, in which we acknowledge the works of a selected number of artists who just missed the final cut (90, to be exact, posted in our Instagram stories from 18 October to 1 November, 6 per day and between noon and 6pm).
On Monday 1 November at 6pm, the winner of our online competition will be announced: He or she will be invited to participate in an exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne in 2022.
We invite you to visit ART MATTERS 4 regularly here on our website, Instagram and Facebook.
About our ART MATTERS series:
Just like with our first three open artist call projects in April and November 2020 and again in April 2021, we were aware how versatile and eclectic this fourth online exhibition could be. But it was precisely the idea of an open call that appealed to us: to invite artists from the most diverse directions to apply and submit their work. From this multitude of perspectives and positions, we look forward to get an exhibition that shows a field of tension but also a symbiotic dialogue between the individual artworks. An exhibition that matches the direction and philosophy of the gallery, but also brings something new to our programme.
You can check out our first three ART MATTERS shows further down or in our exhibition archive.
PS: Our next open call will take place in March/April 2022…
Monday 1 November: Finals Day
ART MATTERS 4: And the winner is... Alireza Elahi (*1991, lives and works Tehran) – congratulations! We are pleased to include an Iranian artist in our programme for the first time and to present his expressive abstract paintings in one of our upcoming gallery group exhibitions.
Also for the 4th ART MATTERS round, it was not easy for us to choose only 15 artists for our online exhibition out of the many great submissions we received in our 4th Open Artist Call, and then also to choose a single winner.... It was definitely fun to discover and get to know so many great artistic positions! There is so much remarkable art out there, we can't show it all in our gallery. But the ART MATTERS series allows us to present many artistic positions from all over the world to a wider audience online twice a year for a little more than 2 weeks.
Many thanks to all of you who follow this project, some of you for 4 issues by now, and many thanks also – most of all – to all participating artists, especially to our Top 15, namely (in order of their daily posts: Alireza Elahi, Katja Pál, Bislacchi, Amir Chasson, Mariejon de Jong-Buijs, Aaron Kaveh Ossia, Molly Thomson, René Korten, Stephen Wozniak, Peter Evans, Eva Dijkstra, Beverly Rautenberg, Alan Greenberg, Clemens Gritl and last but not least Sharon Haward.
But in the end there can only be one and we have chosen the young Iranian artist Alireza Elahi as the ART MATTERS 4 winner in an extremely close decision. With his submitted work "untitled" (2020, acrylic and spray paint on primed canvas, 150 x 100 cm) and his artist statement as well as his overall artistic approach/work, he completely convinced us and we are happy to invite him to a thematic group exhibition in our gallery in Cologne in 2022. We already have a great project in mind and are sure that Alireza's work will be a wonderful fit for us – more information will follow soon!
To find out more about ART MATTERS 4, Alireza Elahi and the work of the other 14 finalists, check out our Instagram feed from the last two weeks or our website posts below.
The featured works are still available for purchase until 14 November – just email us for more information or visit our online shop!
And last but not least: Our next ART MATTERS Open Call will take place in March/April 2022 – more details will follow then!
17 – 31 October: the 15 Finalists
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ART MATTERS 3
Online Group Exhibition
Winner
Stephen Burke
(participated in our group show Where the Rubber Meets the Road in summer 2022)
To curate our new online group exhibition ART MATTERS 3, we have been looking for international visual artists via open call from 14-28 March, 2021. From all applications received, our independent jury, the Reclaim Collective, finally selected 15.
On a daily basis at 6pm CET sharp from Sunday, 11 April onwards, all 15 finalists will be presented one by one with their submitted work exclusively on galerie-biesenbach.de and our Instagram/Facebook accounts. The presentation of our Top 15 is rounded off by "Honourable Mentions" in our daily Instagram stories, in which we acknowledge the works of a selected number of artists who just missed the final cut (90, to be exact, posted in our Instagram stories from 12 to 26 April, 6 per day and between noon and 6pm).
On Monday, 29 April at 6pm the winner of our competition will be announced: He or she will be invited to participate in an exhibition in 2021 in our gallery rooms in Cologne.
We warmly invite you to regularly follow our ART MATTERS 3 group show here on our website, Instagram and Facebook.
About our ART MATTERS series:
Just like with our first two open artist call projects in April and November 2020, we were aware how versatile and eclectic this third online exhibition could be – especially since we decided to have it curated by an independent jury. But it was precisely the idea of an open call that appealed to us: to invite artists from the most diverse directions to apply and submit their work. From this multitude of perspectives and positions, we look forward to get an exhibition that shows a field of tension but also a symbiotic dialogue between the individual artworks. An exhibition that matches the direction and philosophy of the gallery, but also brings something new to our programme.
You can check out our first two ART MATTERS shows further down or in our exhibition archive.
PS: Our next open call will take place in September/October 2021…
Finals Day
Group photo with 15 finalists, including 1 winner - please scroll down and read on to find out who won our 3rd ART MATTERS online competition!
First and foremost though, we'd like to thank our judges – the guys from Reclaim Collective – for collaborating with us on this project and putting together such a beautiful, eclectic exhibition! We know how hard it is to choose from all the submissions we received as part of our open call, to select just 15 artists and then also to narrow it down to one winner... But it was definitely an immense pleasure for us to discover so many great artists or to get to know them better!
Thanks also to all of you who have been following this project, some of you since we started it a year ago, and thanks – most of all – to all the artists involved, especially our Top 15, namely: Patia Fa, Isabella Convertino, Jeroen Molenaar, Dorota Goczal, PUTPUT, Vera Saldivar de Lira, Paul Snell, Chris Tille, Stephen Burke, Oliver Cain, Susanne Stähli, Daniel Morata Gressel, Rafael Raposo Pires, Maaike Kramer and last but not least Francisco Valenca Vaz.
But in the end, there can only be one and our jury chose Stephen Burke (*1991 in Dublin, lives and works in Dublin) as the ART MATTERS 3 winner in an extremely close decision. Congratulations! With his submitted work Bump from 2021 (spray paint, emulsion and chewing gum on tactile tiles, steel frame, 60 x 45 x 3 cm) and his statement as well as his overall artistic approach/body of work, he not only convinced our jury and we are happy to invite him to participate in an thematic group exhibition in our gallery in Cologne in 2022. We already have a great project in mind – more information to follow soon!
To find out more about ART MATTERS 3, Stephen Burke and the work of the other 14 finalists, check out our Instagram feed from the last two weeks or our website posts below.
The featured works are available for purchase until 15 May - just email us for more information or visit our online shop!
And finally: Our next ART MATTERS Open Call will take place in September/October 2021 – more details coming soon!
Winner ART MATTERS 3: Stephen Burke
STEPHEN BURKE
Bump, 2021
spray paint, emulsion and chewing gum on tactile tiles, steel frame
60 x 45 x 3 cm
ARTIST STATEMENT
Stephen's ambitions are to highlight a new visual understanding within our built environment and to scrutinize the cultural divide between street and gallery. Stephen’s most recent body of work examines various methods of communication found in public space, in this case – focusing on 'tactile tiles' and sprayed construction markings.
Tactile tiles are a system of textured ground surfaces found on stairs, footpaths and train stations among other places. These tiles signal messages or warnings to visually impaired pedestrians and are interpreted through their spacing and texture. For example, the bright yellow textured pavement found at train stations signifies a stop code, as there is a steep drop ahead. Stephen was drawn to use this material due to its high level of visual texture and to show how we communicate through touch, a sensitivity which has been lost in recent times.
In 1976, construction workers accidentally cut into a petroleum pipe beneath the pavement in California, leading to a large explosion. This accident was the catalyst for 'the systemization of critical colour coded utility markings'. These markings are deciphered by construction workers daily and denote various meanings. For example: Blue marks signal water pipes and yellow signifies gas, whereas red marks show electricity cables. These sprayed markings exemplify another kind of communication, one concerned with language. With this new body of work, Burke forms testimonials to these two visual languages by creating tactile images which are imbued with the aura of the street.
CV
Stephen Burke
1991 born in Dublin
lives and works in Dublin
Stephen is a visual artist from Dublin, Ireland with a background in painting (MA, GSA, 2018) and printmaking (B.A NCAD, 2016). He received a first class honour's degree from the GSA. Burke co-authored the book 'Buff', which investigates graffiti removal as an artistic process. 'Buff' contributed greatly to the academic discourse on this topic and was published with an accompanying exhibition at The Library Project in 2017. 'Buff' was later translated into a documentary in collaboration with Irish film maker, Sean Clarke, and was debuted at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) in 2019 with the support of both Atelier Maser Gallery and Offset Festival. Later that year, Stephen completed a residency at Atelier Maser and displayed the resulting works at a solo show within the gallery. Most recently, he completed a six month residency in Berlin with Urban Nation. During this time he further developed the project 'Post-Vandalism', which is accessible on social media (@post_vandalism) and explores both the academics and aesthetics of graffiti related contemporary art and fosters support from a wide international community. Stephen’s time in Berlin culminated with an exhibition where he presented six new paintings. Burke is currently working towards the release of his new book titled ‘Post-vandalism’.
Education
- MLitt in Fine Art Painting (hons), Glasgow School of Art (GSA), Glasgow, UK, 2017-18
- BA in Print-making (hons), National College of Art & Design (NCAD), Dublin, IRE, 2013-16
Solo Exhibitions
- Utility, Atelier Maser, Dublin, IRE, June 2019
Selected Exhibitions
- ART MATTERS 3, Galerie Biesenbach, Cologne, DE (online), April 2021
- Quarantine Show, Malagacha Gallery, Strasbourg, FR, June 2020
- Fresh Air, 90 Bulowstrasse, Berlin, DE, March 2020
- Vue, RHA, Dublin, IRE, Nov 2019
- Graduate Degree Show, The Tontine building, Glasgow, UK, Sept 2018
- Chroma, Dornoch St Project Space, Glasgow, UK, June 2018
- Close By, 39 Trongate, Glasgow, UK, April 2018
- No Safe Haven, The Pipe Factory, Glasgow, UK, March 2018
- Bua, Mount Florida Gallery & Studios, Glasgow, UK, March 2018
- Skarrach, Crown Point Studios, Glasgow, UK, February 2018
- Collision, The Law Society of Ireland, Dublin, IRE, November 2017
- Buff, The Library Project, Dublin, IRE, August 2017
- New Release, SO Fine Art, Dublin, IRE, June 2017
- D24: A User’s Manual, Rua Red, Dublin, IRE, May 2017
- The Tara Launch, The Tara Building, Dublin, IRE, April 2017
- Nua, The Fumbally Exchange, Dublin, IRE, February 2017
- Young 3, SO Fine art, Dublin, IRE, February 2017
- Inplace, 12 Tara St, Dublin, IRE, September 2016
- The End, Soma Waterford, Waterford, IRE, September 2016
- Dia Dhuit, The Mart, Dublin, IRE, August 2016
- NCAD Graduate Showcase, Dublin, IRE, June 2016
- Shia LaBeouf, The Box, NCAD, Dublin, IRE, October 2015
- Haptic Press, Pallas Project Studios, Dublin, IRE, May 2015
- South, South Studios, Dublin, IRE, April 2015
- Half, The Mart, Dublin, IRE, January 2015
Press
- Review of ‘Utility’ at Atelier Maser by Eli Cazdu, Urban Art Paris, Nov 2020 - https://urbanart-paris.fr/2020/11/de-leffacage-des-graffitis-a-labstraction/
- Review of ‘U-Bahn’ body of work by Dr Kea Wienand, Urban Nation, Aug 2020 - https://www.stiftung-berliner-leben.de/stephen-burke-u-bahnen-2020/
- Atelier Maser ‘Utility’ exhibition catalogue. June 2019 - Stephen Burke Exhibition Catalogue by ateliermaser - issuu
- Hendricks, The Irish Times, May 2019 - https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/ireland/inside-dublin-s-hendrick-hotel-big-on-street-art-small-on-space-1.3905663
- Iverna, April 2019 - https://www.iverna.ie/interview/stephen-burke
- Yngspc, Oct 2018 - https://www.yngspc.com/artists/2018/10/stephen-burke/
- SO Fine Art Editions, New Release, June 2017 - http://www.sofinearteditions.com/new-release/
- Two friends document the art of graffiti removal, Gary Ibbotson, The Dublin Inquirer, May 2017 - https://www.dublininquirer.com/2017/05/10/two-friends-document-the-art-of-graffiti-removal/
- SO Fine Art Editions, Young III: A New Generation, Feb 2017 - http://www.sofinearteditions.com/young-iii-a-new-generation/
- What Lies Beneath, Niall MacMonagle, The Sunday Inpedendent, July 2016 - http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/what-lies-beneath-smithfield-by-stephen-burke-34887582.html
- HeadStuff, Marie Varley, July 2016 - http://www.headstuff.org/2016/07/ncad-graduate-design-show/
- Bare Magazine, Artist Spotlight, March 2016 - https://issuu.com/lemou/docs/bare_magazine_issuu
Residencies
- Residency at Urban Nation X Stiftung Berliner Leben, Berlin, DE, October - March 2020
- Residency at Atelier Maser, Dublin, IRE, June 2019
- Appointed Artist Curator, Creative Campus, RUA RED, Dublin, IRE, January - May 2017
Outreach & Demonstrations
- Founder – Post-vandalism social media archive, Jan 2018 – Present
- Mosaic Workshop, Urban Nation, Berlin, DE, December 2019
- Artist Talk - ‘Buff’, RHA, Dublin, IRE, June 2019
- Placement at Open/Close Dundee, UK, March 2018
- Founding member of The Glasgow School of Art's Self publishing Society, Glasgow, UK - Nov 2017
- Curator - D24: A Users Manual, Rua Red, Dublin, IRE, Feb - May 2017
- Screen Print Workshop - Deanswrath and Killinarden Community Colleges, Rua Red, Dublin, IRE, May 2017
- Co-Director - Tallaght Young Filmakers, Rua Red, Dublin, IRE, May 2017
- Artist Talk - 'The Art of Graffiti Removal', Rua Red, Dublin, IRE, May 2017
- Mono & Lino Print Workshop - Tallaght Community Arts Centre, Dublin, IRE, May 2015
Publications
- Bua - Co-published with Lou Rowland under Bua, 2018
- Buff - Project Co-manager, Published by 1815, 2017
- 1815 Magazine Issue 7 - Contributing Artist, Published by 1815, 2017
- IN PLACE Photobook - Contributing Artist, 2016
- Buff precursor zine - co-published with Fiachra Corcoran, 2016
____________________
ART MATTERS 2
Online Group Exhibition
Winner
Patrizia Kränzlein
(participated in our group show PoP - Painting on Paper in autumn 2021)
To curate our new virtual group exhibition ART MATTERS 2, we have been looking for international visual artists via open call from 8-22 November. According to our specifications, 1 artwork with a net sales price of up to 2.000,- € could be submitted per artist. From all applications received, we finally selected 15.
On a daily basis at 6pm CET sharp from Sunday, 29/11 onwards, all 15 finalists will be presented one by one with their submitted work exclusively on galerie-biesenbach.de and our Instagram/Facebook accounts. The presentation of our Top 15 is rounded off by "Honourable Mentions" in our daily Instagram stories, in which we acknowledge the works of a selected number of artists who just missed the final cut.
On Monday, 14 December at 6pm the winner of our competition will be announced: He or she will be invited to participate in an exhibition in 2021 in our gallery rooms in Cologne.
We warmly invite you to regularly follow our ART MATTERS 2 group show here on our website, Instagram and Facebook.
About our ART MATTERS series:
Just like with our first open artist call project last April, we were aware how versatile and eclectic this second online exhibition could be. But it was precisely the idea of an open call that appealed to us: to invite artists from the most diverse directions to apply and submit their work. From this multitude of perspectives and positions, we curated an exhibition that shows a field of tension but also a symbiotic dialogue between the individual artworks. An exhibition that matches the direction and philosophy of the gallery, but also brings something new to our programme.
Monday, 14 December
To curate our online group exhibition ART MATTERS 2, we launched our second Open Call on 8 November with the aim of finding 15 new artists. Until yesterday, we presented the finalists and their submitted works individually every day at 6pm for a fortnight.
Tonight, we are pleased to announce Patrizia Kränzlein (*1987 in Stuttgart, lives and works in Stuttgart) as the winner of our competition and invite her to participate in a thematic group exhibition at our gallery in Cologne in summer 2021. Her sensitive formal language and approach to the medium of paper have excited us and bring new, interesting aspects to our gallery programme.
It was extremely difficult for us to pick out just one from so many remarkable artistic positions. Therefore, we would like to thank all the artists who submitted their works. It was a great pleasure for us to discover these great artists or to get to know them better!
To learn more about Patrizia Kränzlein and the works of the other 14 finalists – in order of their daily presentation: Birte Horn, Armin Mühsam, Laura Jane Scott, Tonneke Sengers, Viktoria Körösi, Sali Muller, Paul Corvers, Stuart Fineman, Katja Pál, Ute Krafft, Evelyn Snoek, Andrew Clausen, Alex De Bruycker & Yoella Razili – please scroll down or check out our Instagram feed.
The works presented are available for purchase – just email at art@galerie-biesenbach.com for more information – and our ART MATTERS 2 viewing room will be available to visit here from 6pm tomorrow.
Our next Art Matters Open Call will take place in late March/early April 2021 – more details coming soon!
PATRIZIA KRÄNZLEIN
untitled, 2020
linoleum ink and graphite on paper (mounted on board), 70 x 50 cm
880,- €
plus 16% German VAT + shipping
The work is available through our gallery – contact for further information: art@galerie-biesenbach.com or +49-174-4909635.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Patrizia Kränzlein's drawings, a combination of graphite and linoleum paint on paper, are mostly reduced to black, white and grey tones. During production, the paint is applied directly to the paper with a roller, thus the roller functions as a drawing instrument.
The works are developed from variable geometric basic forms and integrated segmentally into the picture surface. They show pictorial spaces that are configured by lines, surfaces, shades and depth spaces. In doing so, the artist always seeks the way into the depths, with a demand for the valid, towards the essential.
CV
Patrizia Kränzlein
1987 born in Stuttgart
lives and works in Stuttgart
Education
2008-2017
- Studium Malerei und Glasgestaltung
- Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart
2008-2015
- Studiengang Kunsterziehung
2015-2017
- Studiengang Bildende Kunst
2017
- Diplom Bildende Kunst
Awards/Prizes
2020
- Preis für junge Kunst 2019/2020, Galerie Kunsthöfle e.V., Bad Cannstatt
2016
- Preisträgerin des Young Art Award <33, Galerie Art Forum Ute Barth, Zürich, Schweiz
2012
- Akademiepreis für Projektarbeit (Glas und Glück)
Exhibitions (Selection)
2020
- ART MATTERS 2, Galerie Biesenbach, Köln (online)
- Zimmerecken, Museum Villa Flora, Winterthur, Schweiz
- Linie – Fläche – Raum: Harmonie mit Maß und Gesetz, Kunsthaus Fischer, Stuttgart
- Contemporary meets masters, Galerie Art Forum Ute Barth, Zürich, Schweiz
- Raumgefüge, Kunstverein Ludwigsburg (S)
- Preis für junge Kunst 2019/2020, Galerie Kunsthöfle e.V. Bad Cannstatt
2019
- Ereignis Freihandzeichnung 2019, Tapetenwerk, Leipzig (C)
- Raumkonfiguration, Galerie der Stiftung S BC pro-arte, Biberach (S)
- Raumzeichnungen, Galerie Art Forum Ute Barth, Zürich, Schweiz (S)
- aufgeSCHLOSSen 2019, junge Kunst aus Baden-Württemberg, KISS-Untergröningen
- Donaueschinger Regionale 2019, Donauhallen, Donaueschingen (C)
2018
- Künstler für den Frieden, Mediathèque, Montbeliard, Frankreich
- Das kleine FormArt, Galerie Interart, Stuttgart
- Spot on 3D, Galerie Art Forum Ute Barth, Zürich, Schweiz
2017
- Blick Fang 2017, Kunsthaus Kaufbeuren
- 2xK 2xT, Galerie Art Forum Ute Barth, Zürich, Schweiz
- Schwarz auf Weiß, Galerie Kunsthöfle e.V., Stadtarchiv Stuttgart (S)
- Diplomausstellung, Projektraum AKKU, Stuttgart
- Raumkonfiguration, Galerie Wendelinskapelle, Marbach am Neckar (S)
2016
- Preisträgerin des Young Art Award <33, Galerie Art Forum Ute Barth, Zürich, Schweiz
- Thomas went to the market- a take away show., Kunstverein Geislingen (Steige)
- Neujahrsempfang 2016, Landratsamt Ludwigsburg
2015
- In Stein, auf Leinwand, auf Papier, Galerie Dorn, Stuttgart
- This moment is all there is, Kunstzentrum Karlskaserne, Ludwigsburg
S: Solo Show
C: Catalogue
GROUP PHOTO
Final 15

____________________
ART MATTERS 1
Online Group Exhibition
Winner
Jussi Niva
(participated in our group show Sculptural.Painting. in early 2021)
ART MATTERS
12/04 – 26/04/2020
1 new artist daily 6pm!
Out of the corona/lockdown situation in March/April – exhibition postponed, gallery closed to the public – our first virtual group exhibition ART MATTERS was created, which could only be viewed online at www.galerie-biesenbach.de and our Instagram and Facebook accounts. Unusual times, new ways!
With an open call launched on Instagram, we spent two weeks looking for new artists and finally selected 15 participants for our group exhibition.
We knew how eclectic this Online Only exhibition could be. But it was precisely the idea of the Open Call that appealed to us: to invite artists from the most diverse backgrounds to apply and submit their work. From this multitude of perspectives and positions, we curated an exhibition that shows a field of tension but also a symbiotic dialogue between the individual artists and artworks. An exhibition that fits the direction and philosophy of the gallery, but which has also brought something new to our programme.
From Sunday, 12 April onwards, one artist was presented with the submitted work every day at 6 pm. On 26 April the winner of our competition was announced and invited to participate in a later exhibition in our gallery space in Cologne. Our choice was Jussi Niva, who will present a selection of his works in the group exhibition "Sculptural.Painting." in January/February 2021.
With works by: Christina Augustesen, Carlos Balbás, Bram Braam, Michael Craik, Alex De Bruycker, Viktoria Körösi, Ute Krafft, Vincent Lo Brutto, Daniel Müller-Jansen, Jussi Niva, PUTPUT, Beverly Rautenberg, Michael Samuels, Jon Thomas & Michael Weißköppel
GROUP PHOTO
Final 15
