Kunsthalle Krems is hosting the first exhibition in Austria featuring works by American artist Joe Bradley, alongside a concurrent show titled "Between Two Worlds" by Pakistani artist Mohsin Shafi. Both exhibitions will remain open to the public until April 6, 2025.
Born in Maine in 1975, Joe Bradley has spent much of his career working in New York City. The current exhibition at Kunsthalle Krems showcases approximately 90 of his works, spanning multiple mediums including paintings, drawings, and sculptures. Bradley's artistic style uniquely bridges the gap between high art and everyday aesthetics while consistently referencing contemporary art traditions.
Bradley's diverse body of work incorporates elements of minimalist clarity and abstract expressionism, while also embracing ready-made art forms that involve the transformation of everyday objects. His practice notably includes "bad paintings," a deliberate approach intended to challenge traditional concepts of painting as an art form. Through these various techniques, Bradley attempts to ironically subvert expectations surrounding grand painting traditions.
The exhibition also features diverse video installations, objects, and photo collages by artist Mohsin Shafi. Shafi previously participated in Krems' Artist-in-Residence program in 2024. His artwork reflects a complex interplay between his sexuality and traditional Pakistani culture, exploring what appears to be two separate worlds that he seeks to unite within a poetic third space.
According to curator Andreas Hoffer, the Pakistani artist was unable to attend the opening of his exhibition due to visa processing delays that prevented timely travel arrangements. Despite his physical absence, Shafi's work continues to demonstrate his artistic mission of connecting seemingly disparate cultural and personal elements through his multimedia approach.
Visitors to Kunsthalle Krems can experience both exhibitions simultaneously, offering a unique opportunity to explore contrasting yet complementary artistic perspectives from American and Pakistani contemporary artists until the April 6 closing date.
