For the fourth consecutive year, following the presentation of work by Günther Förg, Darren Almond and Vera Lutter, Galerie Max Hetzler is pleased to present an exhibition of Berlin based French painter Yves Oppenheim at the gallery‘s project space in Weidingen / Eifel. The private view takes place on July 28 from 4 pm.
Following his last exhibition at the gallery in 2009, Oppenheim will be exhibiting a new wall painting along with recent paintings and a series of ink drawings. With the new wall painting a vital change can be foreseen in his work. Graphic and very linear forms contrast the shapes of defined colours, which overlap each other and are characteristic of his earlier work. The colours, which together with Oppenheim‘s formal language have been one of his dominant themes, are no longer confined. Instead, outlines are replaced by colorful floating lines, which cross each other, thus indicating movement. This seems to be a natural development of Oppenheim‘s former approach to colour and form.
The twelve monochrome ink drawings, which are presented in parallel with the wall painting and works on canvas, are much more organic. The works on paper appear more free and dynamic, acted out instinctively and by movement, displaying curls and a baroque gesture. The limitations of the surface, as in his paintings, do not apply any longer. Rather, the shapes themselves seem to take centre stage. While the artist compares the drawings with abstract shapes made of material such as blue glazed ceramics reflecting the light, they are also suggestive of more concrete interpretations. It seems possible to envision figurative elements like horse‘s heads or female nudes, which crystallize from the entangled blue lines. This apparent difference, as well as the first time visible artist‘s hand, can be seen as an indication for Oppenheim‘s changing painting process.
This is Yves Oppenheim’s sixth solo show at Galerie Max Hetzler.
Yves Oppenheim, born in 1948 in Tananarive (Madagascar), lives and works in Berlin since the late 90s. Since the 80s he participates in international solo and group exhibitions. Latest solo shows at Perry Rubenstein Gallery, New York (2011), Galerie Xippas, Athens (2010) and Galeria Pedro Cera, Lisbon (2009) among others. His work is included in collections such as the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, the Centre Pompidou, Paris and the Carré d’Art Nîmes.
Upcoming exhibitions:
Sept 8 - Oct 13, Mona Hatoum: Shift, Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin
Sept 13 - 16, Mona Hatoum, art berlin contemporary (abc), Berlin
For further questions please contact Florian Rehn at +49(0)30 229 24 37.
