RAPHAELA SIMON


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

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

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

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

Download PDF