Per Kirkeby: Hommage à Per Kirkeby
Galerie Forsblom, February 14–March 15, 2020
Opening February 13, 2020, at 5–7 PM.
The Danish painter Per Kirkeby (1938-2018) was one of Scandinavia’s most famous and beloved artists. He was a multi-talent renowned not only as an artist, but also as a writer, poet, filmmaker and even a geologist. Kirkeby’s rare array of gifts finds reflection in his artistic output, which is unmatched in its consummate power of expression.
Featuring paintings and paper art, the studio exhibition presents a small cross-section of Kirkeby’s wide-ranging work. His work derives its special resonance from his unique ability to weave together artistic tradition, emotion-steeped expression and exquisite command of color. Many of Kirkeby’s expressive paintings are inspired by the glorious colors of nature, from the lush greens of grass to muted earthy tones. Even when not representing nature, his paintings still revel in the rich use of color, his radiant yellows sometimes evoking the bright neon lights of the city rather than woods or golden meadows. The varied works in the exhibition come together in a harmonious tapestry, showing many sides of reality.
Kirkeby established his name in the artworld in the 1960s. During his long career, he held numerous solo exhibitions all around the world. He represented Denmark at the 1976 Venice Biennale and his work is found in collections including Stockholm’s Moderna Museet, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art Denmark, New York’s Museum of Modern Art and Metropolitan Museum of Art, London’s Tate Modern and the Center Pompidou in Paris.