RAPHAELA SIMON
Raphaela Simon (b. 1986) is known for her paintings of simple, non-distinct forms set against monochromatic backdrops. To make these, the artist works in several stages, overpainting and modifying elements in a slow, continuous process. Simon generates forms of palimpsest, with colours shining through the different layers, adding nuances to the compositions. Often evoking portraits, Simon’s works are titled after ordinary objects and motifs, thereby suggesting a latent figurative potential; through this action, the artist plays with the desire of the viewer to imbue abstract forms with meaning. Since 2018, Simon has also been creating elaborate objects and figures in fabric which, carefully staged, develop their own narration and a dialogue with the works on canvas.
‘[Simon] explores the territory between representation and pure abstraction […]. She cherry-picks ideas about simple geometries (and stripes) from Peter Halley, Frank Stella and Agnes Martin, but filters them through her own notions of wit, scale, materials and abbreviation. It is of utmost importance that her oil surfaces are layered, which gives them solidity, and that the edges of her many stripes rarely seem ruled, which gives them life.’
R. Smith, in The New York Times, 2018
Image: Vic, 2023, oil on canvas, 190 x 170 cm.; 74 3/4 x 66 7/8 in. Photo: def image
Artist Talk
Selected Works
Solo Exhibitions
Group Exhibitions
Selected Institutional Exhibitions
Biography
VITA
1986
Born in Villingen, Germany
2013
Akademie der Bildenden Künste München, class of Günther Förg
2009–2015
Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, master student of Peter Doig
Lives and works in Berlin, Germany
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024
Phantom
Michael Werner Gallery, London
Die Nachahmung der Rose
Oldenburger Kunstverein
2023
Nighthawks
Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin
Blaue Nacht
Fondazione Giuliani, Rome
2022
Es liebt Dich und Deine Körperlichkeit ein Verwirrter (with Carina Brandes and Florian Krewer)
Kunsthalle Düsseldorf (catalogue)
2021
Steine
Hannah Hoffman, Los Angeles
Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin
2020
The Fashion Show
Galerie Max Hetzler, Paris
2019
Erdbeeren
Michael Werner Gallery, London
Sterne
Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin
2017
Karo
Tramps / Michael Werner Gallery, New York
Staubsauger
Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin
2016
Tischlein deck dich
Hannah Hoffman Gallery, Los Angeles
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
Meet me by the lake
CLEARING, New York
2023
Customs Cars Cultures
UncleBrother, New York
Birds Follow Spring
Michael Werner Gallery, New York
2022
In The Shadows of Tall Necessities
Bonner Kunstverein
2021
ACCESSO
Alfonso Artiaco, Naples
Friendship. Nature. Culture. 44 Years of the Daimler Art Collection. Works from the Collection 1920–2021
Daimler Contemporary, Berlin
2018
Surface Work
Victoria Miro, London
2016
Das Bild hängt schief
Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin
2015
Image Search
Hannah Hoffman Gallery, Los Angeles
2014
lady work work
Tramps, London
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Verlag Buchhandlung Walther & Franz König, Cologne 2023 (ed.): Raphaela Simon: Es liebt Dich und Deine Körperlichkeit ein Verwirrter, 2023
Galerie Max Hetzler Berlin | Paris | London / Michael Werner Gallery / Hannah Hoffman Gallery 2022 (Eds.): Raphaela Simon: Paintings and Sculptures 2012–2022, 2022
Videos
Publications
Raphaela Simon: Nighthwaks
Exhibition Poster
2023
€ 15.00
Raphaela Simon: Es liebt Dich und Deine Körperlichkeit ein Verwirrter
Published by Verlag Buchhandlung Walther & Franz König, Cologne 2023
Released by Kunsthalle Düsseldorf GmbH, Gregor Jansen, and Alicia Holthausen
€ 20.00
Raphaela Simon: Paintings and Sculptures 2012–2022
Galerie Max Hetzler Berlin | Paris | London / Michael Werner Gallery / Hannah Hoffman Gallery 2022
With text by Chloe Stead and a conversation with the artist
€ 45.00
Raphaela Simon
Exhibition Poster
2021
€ 20.00
Selected Press
The New York Times January 2018
