Thomas Schutte
dal 24/9/2012 al 17/11/2012
Segnalato da
24/9/2012
Thomas Schutte
Serpentine Gallery, London
Faces & Figures. Focusing on his highly-charged and poetic responses to the human form, it is the first time an exhibition will be dedicated entirely to these pioneering works. It brings together his key sculptural, painted and photographic portraits, embracing both existing and new work.
The Serpentine Gallery is delighted to present Thomas Schütte: Faces &
Figures, an exhibition of one of the world’s most influential living artists.
Focusing on Schütte’s highly-charged and poetic responses to the human
form, it is the first time an exhibition will be dedicated entirely to these
pioneering works.
The artist has returned repeatedly to the genre of portraiture and through
these works we see Schütte reassessing the figurative traditions of art,
presenting emotive and often uncomfortable observations of the human
condition. The exhibition brings together his key sculptural, painted and
photographic portraits, embracing both existing work and new work made
especially for the Serpentine Gallery.
Over several decades, Schütte has created watercolours and drawings of
acquaintances and friends, as well as many self-portraits, including the
Mirror Drawing works. His drawings are often created in series,
approaching the same subject numerous times as a means of engaging
with the inner nature of the individual. Schütte’s drawings feed closely into
his sculptural portraits, which are created in a similar spirit.
A work central to the Serpentine exhibition is Vater Staat (Father State)
2011, a towering steel sculpture of an authoritative figure who,
paradoxically, appears frail and isolated. This formidable work relates to
Schütte’s interest in shifts of scale; although epic, the work remains an
investigation into fragility.
Vater Staat resonates with the works placed outdoors in Kensington
Gardens, the larger United Enemies sculptures; formidable yet anonymous
figures, these are sited in the most public of spaces.
Schütte’s recent solo exhibitions include presentations at the Nouveau
Musée National de Monaco (2012), Castello di Rivoli, Turin (2012), Museo
Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid (2010) and Haus der Kunst,
Munich (2009). Schütte has received numerous awards and prizes,
including the Düsseldorf Prize in 2010 and the Golden Lion at the Venice
Biennale in 2005.
Image: Bert, Fimo, fabric. Photo: Gino Bühler © DACS 2012
For press information contact:
Miles Evans 020 72981544 milese@serpentinegallery.org
Serpentine Gallery
Kensington Gardens London W2 3XA
Gallery open 10am to 6pm daily.
Admission free