Hubert Scheibl (*1952 Gmunden), internationally one of the most recognized Austrian artists, currently has a solo exhibition dedicated to him in the Albertina's Basteihalle.
Under the title "Seeds of Time," earlier works, some from the Albertina's own collection, are exhibited together with entirely new series.
In Austria, Scheibl had his last solo exhibition in 2016 at the Belvedere; this show in the three rooms of the Pfeilerhalle is now taking place a year later than originally planned due to the Covid pandemic.
Scheibl, who studied in Vienna with Arnulf Rainer and Max Weiler and belonged to the "Neue Wilde" in the 1980s, also exhibits organic-looking sculptures in this show, which are juxtaposed with the paintings in the rooms. Found materials such as branches and newspaper are combined with objects from the artist's studio to create objects reminiscent of living creatures or totems.
In the series of paintings "Ones," Scheibl ran his brush across the canvas in thick strokes without stopping, as he did in his homage to Francis Bacon, "My private B.", his highly personal take on the art of the British classicist.
In works such as "Talking Heads" or the cycle "Plants and Murders," the artist captured travel impressions in pencil, charcoal, goauche, or watercolor.
Life and nature are the themes of the eleven-meter-long paper work "Itamaraca," which was created in Brazil in 2004: fine lines and color fields are reminiscent of Brazil's flora.
In another room, square, predominantly monochrome canvas works of older dates are found in a wide variety of hues, leaving room for the viewer to let his or her own associations emerge.
Scheibl searches for unconscious connections between color, lines, and surfaces on the dissecting table of his canvas. The pictorial narratives are encounters between the search for depth and a background that supports the composition.
In constantly new experimental series of arrangements, he questions the foundations of pictorial thinking. The experimental arrangements have no beginning and no end, no chronology, the multiple pasts that Scheibl uses to form his present are like a collage of transpositions that mix and dialogue with each other unabashedly. (written by Cem Angeli)
Hubert Scheibl "Seeds of Time" runs at the Albertina until December 5, exhibition catalog 29,90 Euro. Ed.: Curator Antonia Hoerschelmann
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