As an alternative to our physical participation in art KARLSRUHE, we are focusing on a digital presentation for this year's art KARLSRUHE selections and presenting works by Sam Francis and selected highlights from our current collection.
Sam Francis (1923-1994) is one of the most important representatives of the second generation of Abstract Expressionism. Influenced by European Art Informel and Zen Buddhism, he developed an oeuvre that sought to unite the idea of the void with the presence of the painterly present.
In our exhibition Sam Francis 'Space & Containment' we present over twenty works by the American artist, whose abstract expressive painting has found recognition far beyond America. In addition to his Californian roots, he had a studio in Tokyo for many years and incorporated countless impressions from his travels and work stays in Asia and Europe into his art.
"Painting is about the beauty of space and the power of containment"
Sam Francis
This central quotation by the artist was the inspiration for the title of our exhibition. Despite a very clear focus on the early works up to 1964, the exhibition provides an overview of 40 years of creativity: from his series of works of interlocking colour formations to his empty surface arrangements from Tokyo, the so-called edge paintings, to the action paintings of the latter years.
Sam Francis ›Space & Containment‹
Exhibition view "Sam Francis ›Space & Containment‹"
Virtual tour through the exhibition "Sam Francis. 'Space & Containment'"
Exhibition view "Sam Francis ›Space & Containment‹"
Selected Highlights
We have also taken advantage of the past year to look at new acquisitions as well as works from our own collection and to put together a group of very special works that do justice to the designation Masterpiece regardless of genre. Among them are works by Bernd & Hilla Becher, Winfred Gaul, Karin Kneffel, Imi Knoebel, Max Liebermann, Serge Poliakoff, Josef Scharl and Georg Tappert. This presentation is complemented by highlights from our current exhibition "Recent Acquisitions Spring 2021", including works by Karl Otto Götz, Gotthard Graubner, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Christopher Lehmpfuhl, Heinz Mack and Bernard Schultze.
Exhibition view "Masterpieces"
Video ausgewählter Meisterwerke für die "art KARLSRUHE selections"
Exhibition view "Masterpieces"
Video ausgewählter Neuerwerbungen für die "art KARLSRUHE selections"
Exhibition view "Recent Acquisitions Spring 2021"