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Heiner Binding, "paintings, fabrics"


aug. 24 - sept. 28, 2013
taguchi fine art, tokyo












































Born in Tuttlingen, Germany in 1958, Heiner Binding now resides and works in Cologne. After graduating from the National Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe (Georg Baselitz class/ Per Kirkeby class), he had many exhibitions in Germany and Belgium and his works are in the collection of Kolumba Kunstmuseum and Museum Ludwig in Cologne.


His paintings look to be at the opposite side of the exquisite work by skilled craftsman. To the contrary, rough brush strokes and finger prints are often left on the panel or canvas, and sometimes a piece of wood is nailed or the fabric of the old shirt is attached on them.


Although bright colors are used in his recent works, basically subdued colors as dark green, gray, brown and dark red are his favorites. Viewers get the impression from his paintings that they have been there for long time like old furniture which were repaired and re-painted.


His attempt is to seek what the painting in present-day is, based on the history of painting in which every attempt has been already exhausted. He uses a distorted wooden frame. He uncovers the wooden frame. He paints from the back side of the canvas. He paints on old wooden panel. He uses ready-made fabrics, sometimes a shirt which he wore out. These are all to verify the format of the painting itself.


Binding dares to be very careful not to take a particular fixed style as his own style. He creates works in different styles as works which are in the lineage of Impressionism, works in abstract expressionist style, or works in minimalist style, etc. Whole of these rich, complex and intimate paintings is the world of Heiner Binding.


This is the first occasion to introduce his works to Japanese audience. Please come to take a look.

From 17:00 on the first day, Saturday August 24th, we will have a reception for the artist. Looking forward to your visit.



checklist of the installation


1.
"Tarde", 2009-10
oil on canvas, 120 x 80 cm

2.
From the serie "Sans Raison", 2011
oil on cotton (fabrics), 37.5 x 27.5 cm

3.
From the serie "das schichtengeteilte Licht"
2012, oil on canvas, 140 x 100 cm

4.
"Untitled", 2011-13
oil on canvas, 76 x 56 cm

5.
"Aranda", II. Version, 2009-13
oil on canvas, 140 x 100 cm

6.
"What is there to say ?", 2012-13
oil on cotton (fabrics), 123 x 70 cm

7. From the serie "Lost and Found", 2007
oil on cotton (fabrics), 33 x 24.5 cm

8.
From the serie "das schichtengeteilte Licht",
III. Version, 2008
oil on canvas, 70 x 50 cm

9.
"Green Afternoon", 2010
oil on canvas, 140 x 100 cm

10.
From the serie "Lost and Found", 2006-08
mixed media/combine painting, 50 x 35 cm

11.
"Northern Light/Purpose II", 2012/13
oil on canvas, 60 x 40 cm

12.
"Untitled", 2010-13
oil on canvas, 100 x 70 cm

13.
"Before and After", 2011-13
oil on canvas, 61.5 x 46 cm