Thaddaeus Ropac’s new Seoul gallery opens its doors with Hotel Garni, an exhibition featuring new works by renowned German artist Georg Baselitz. This exhibition, running until November 27, 2021, presents 12 paintings and 12 drawings created specifically for this occasion, showcasing Baselitz’s experimental approach to form and abstraction. Baselitz, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, has shaped contemporary German art and left a lasting impact on the global art scene since the 1960s. His works reflect a unique sensibility that intertwines abstraction with deeply personal themes, creating a monumental impression in each piece.

Baselitz’s relationship with Korea began 15 years ago, with his first solo exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Gwacheon, marking the start of his artistic presence in Asia. His new series in Hotel Garni includes portrayals of his wife Elke, a figure that has profoundly influenced his work for over five decades. These abstracted yet evocative images of Elke depict her suspended in undefined space, isolated yet anchored by chair-like constructions—a composition Baselitz uses to “help the figure find its space,” as he describes. This juxtaposition of familiar and foreign elements exemplifies the artist’s innovative approach to form.

The title Hotel Garni, a French term for budget hotels, is a playful nod to Pablo Picasso’s iconic Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. Baselitz has expressed his longstanding fascination with Picasso’s unconventional representations of femininity, using the theme to inspire many of his recent works. With this title, Baselitz brings a humorous but respectful homage to Picasso’s masterpiece, invoking its confrontational yet introspective essence.

In his process, Baselitz often works with canvases laid on the floor, employing simple, almost childlike brushstrokes to capture essential elements. This method, which he describes as "brutal yet playful," involves a transfer technique that introduces elements of chance into the final composition. Working in his Salzburg studio, he has used this approach to create raw, visually intense images that bridge abstraction and figuration, giving a dynamic sense of immediacy to his pieces.

Baselitz’s drawings in the exhibition are crafted in black and sanguine ink, emphasizing visceral emotion through bold lines and contours. His works on paper reference Henri Rousseau’s La Guerre (The War), imbuing the imagery with a sense of strength and historical depth. His repeated exploration of subjects like Elke and recurring motifs such as stags reveal his ongoing dialogue with past influences, as he reinterprets the past while pushing forward his distinct visual language.

Throughout his six-decade career, Baselitz has continually challenged traditional boundaries of style, working across media such as painting, sculpture, and printmaking. In both technique and theme, he draws inspiration from his roots in East Germany and finds a shared understanding with Korean audiences, acknowledging the historical divide between East and West Germany as resonant with Korea’s ongoing division.

The exhibition catalog, which accompanies Hotel Garni, includes essays by art historians, such as Kim Namin from the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. This publication provides a deeper insight into Baselitz’s work and philosophy, further enriching the experience for viewers.

Thaddaeus Ropac Seoul’s opening exhibition with Baselitz presents a rare opportunity to engage with one of contemporary art’s foremost figures. Through Hotel Garni, Baselitz bridges time, cultural divides, and artistic conventions, creating an exhibit that leaves a powerful impression on the Seoul art scene.

Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com