Key takeaways
- Anselm Reyle is a German visual artist known for his experimental approach to art.
- His work often features abstraction and reflective materials, such as foil and perspex boxes.
- Reyle's artistic style is characterized by the use of experimental techniques, such as the creation of dynamic surfaces.
- His "foil paintings" and "stripe paintings" showcase his ability to experiment with different materials and techniques.
- Reyle's use of reflective materials adds an extra layer of depth to his work, making it even more engaging for the viewer.
- His work continues to evolve, incorporating new materials and techniques that push the boundaries of contemporary art.
Anselm Reyle
Anselm Reyle (b. 1970) is a German visual artist based in Berlin, recognized for his large-scale abstract paintings and found-object sculptures. Born in Tübingen, Germany, he studied at the State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart and later at the Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe under Helmut Dorner, where he developed a foundation in abstraction that shaped his artistic career.
Reyle’s work is characterized by his bold use of abstraction and innovative materials, including foil, neon, and reflective surfaces, which lend depth and dynamism to his pieces. His "foil paintings" and "stripe paintings" demonstrate a creative approach that blends abstraction with experimental techniques, resulting in visually striking and thought-provoking art. His foil works, often set in colored boxes, offer a fresh perspective on abstraction and installation art, encouraging viewers to reflect on contemporary art's role.
Incorporating everyday objects into his early works, Reyle engaged with themes of consumer culture, a concept that continues to influence his practice. His exploration of shiny materials, neon colors, and large-scale compositions has established him as a distinctive voice in contemporary art.
After completing his studies, Reyle moved to Berlin, where the vibrant art scene provided opportunities for collaboration and exposure. His bold use of materials and colors quickly captured attention, and his career flourished as he pushed the boundaries of abstraction. Over time, his works have evolved through constant experimentation, maintaining their freshness and relevance.
Today, Reyle is celebrated as a leading figure in contemporary art, known for merging innovative techniques with social commentary. His art captivates audiences with its complexity and challenges perceptions of art’s role in modern society.
Reyle’s iconic series: Foil and Stripe Paintings
Anselm Reyle's "foil paintings" are among his most acclaimed works, featuring abstract compositions created by meticulously arranging crumpled or folded foil within vibrantly colored perspex boxes. These pieces encapsulate a striking duality: the glossy, tactile appeal of the foil invites sensory engagement, while the perspex casing creates a barrier that denies physical interaction. This deliberate contradiction highlights the object-like nature of the works, blending fragile, organic foil forms with the rigid geometry of their enclosures. The dynamic surfaces and reflective qualities of the materials amplify their spatial presence, making the pieces both visually and conceptually compelling.
The "stripe paintings" represent another cornerstone of Reyle's practice, reinterpreting the art historical trope of uniform stripes with a disruptive and innovative twist. He incorporates elements such as folds in foil, paint blots serving as standardized signatures, and irregularly cut edges that challenge the formal uniformity of the striped compositions. Over time, Reyle has expanded his material palette, introducing mirrors, special-effects pastes, textured surfaces, and steel frames to add depth and complexity to these works. The stripe motif serves as a foundation for limitless experimentation, allowing him to create variations that explore color, texture, and materiality in constantly evolving ways.
Reyle’s work reflects his deep engagement with abstraction while incorporating elements of material innovation and historical reference. His foil and stripe paintings are emblematic of his ability to merge tactile allure with conceptual depth, pushing the boundaries of contemporary art and redefining the potential of familiar forms.
Other notable works
Despite his deep commitment to abstraction, Anselm Reyle has also delved into representational motifs. Between 2010 and 2013, he explored the origins of the figure by referencing the "paint-by-numbers" tradition. This approach allowed him to show how abstract forms can evolve into recognizable subjects. By dissecting the subject matter into numerically ordered sections, each filled with specific colors that interact with others, Reyle creates a sense of fragmentation akin to a puzzle. The materials and colors he uses often evoke his previous works, such as his "stripe paintings" and the Otto-Freundlich series, resulting in a layered texture that appeals to the viewer's tactile sense.
Another prominent series in Reyle’s body of work is his "African sculptures," which draw inspiration from kitschy tourist market crafts—often soapstone pieces sold as stereotypical African art. One notable example, "Harmony" (2007), is based on a small soapstone sculpture Reyle’s mother purchased in Africa. While these sculptures may seem inexpensive and derivative, they echo the abstract forms of renowned modern artists like Hans Arp, Alexander Archipenko, and Henry Moore. Reyle enlarges these found objects before casting them in bronze, chroming, and lacquering them, creating a striking contrast between traditional hand-sculpted techniques and the polished, engineered precision of bronze. This interplay of techniques underscores the paradox of combining handcrafted simplicity with industrial craftsmanship.
Though Reyle is known for working with unconventional materials and transforming everyday objects, his work is rooted in the abstraction movements of the early 20th century, such as Art Informel, Cubism, Op-Art, Minimalism, and Pop Art. Unlike artists like Louise Lawler or Elaine Sturtevant, who focus on appropriation, Reyle uses a refined aesthetic vocabulary to critically examine the role of excess in the postmodern art market. By blending historical art movements with new industrial practices and mass production methods, he reflects on the failures and blind spots of modernity.
In recent years, Reyle’s work has taken on a more intuitive and sensual approach, further developing his distinctive formal language through the use of found objects. His ceramic works, which began in 2016, are particularly notable for their vibrant colors and textured surfaces. Inspired by the kitsch Fat Lava vases from the 1970s that later became flea market staples, Reyle experiments with forms and glazes, creating large-scale vase-like sculptures. His recent paintings also push the boundaries of traditional painting, as he explores the very process of creating art. Painted on coarse burlap, these works emphasize the materiality of the medium and the free-form play between colors and textures. The resulting paintings combine elements of his established visual language while introducing new complexities that intensify the overall impact.
Exhibitions and collections
Anselm Reyle has held numerous solo exhibitions, including at König Galerie in Berlin (2023), Aranya Art Center Quinhuangdao (2020), Galerie Almine Rech (2017), Gary Tatintsian Gallery (2013), Deichtorhallen Hamburg (2012), Kunsthalle Tübingen (2009), and the Modern Institute in Glasgow (2007). His early exhibitions also include new sculptures and paintings at Kunsthaus Zürich (2006), as well as shows at Galerie Giti Nourbakhsch in Berlin and Gavin Brown's Enterprise in New York. Reyle’s first U.S. solo show was presented by the Des Moines Art Center. His work has also been showcased in group exhibitions at Tate Modern in London and Palazzo Grassi in Venice.
Reyle's pieces are part of many prestigious private collections worldwide, such as The Saatchi Gallery, London, Daimler Collection, Berlin, Fondation Pinault, Venice, and Rubell Family Collection, Miami. His work is also part of public collections including Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Daimler Contemporary in Berlin, Sammlung Boros in Berlin, Sammlung Ingvild Goetz in Munich, Collection Ringier in Zurich, Centre Pompidou Paris in France, Pinault Collection Venice in Italy, Museum of Modern Art in Ishøj, Leeum Samsung Museum of Art in Seoul, Saatchi Gallery in London, and the Rubell Family Collection in Miami.
FAQ
What is Anselm Reyle known for in the art world?
Anselm Reyle is a German artist known for his unique style. He combines large abstract paintings with sculptures made from found objects. His work often includes reflective materials and neon lights.
How did Reyle's early life in Tübingen influence his artistic vision?
Growing up in Tübingen, Reyle was surrounded by both old and new influences. This mix inspired his use of found objects and materials in his art.
What role did Reyle's education and training play in his career as a contemporary artist?
After studying at the State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart, Reyle moved to Berlin. There, he was part of a lively art scene. This experience helped him become a well-known artist.
What are the key characteristics of Anselm Reyle's artistic style?
Reyle's style is known for his use of materials like reflective surfaces and neon. His large abstract paintings also stand out in the art world.
How does Reyle's mastery of large-scale abstract paintings contribute to his artistic practice?
Reyle's paintings are bold and use many materials. His skill in combining these elements is key to his art.
What is the significance of Reyle's use of found objects in his sculptures?
Reyle's sculptures, made from foil and neon, add depth to his art. They challenge what we think of as art and consumer culture.
How has Reyle's use of new technologies, such as neon and LED lights, influenced his artistic practice?
Reyle's use of new tech, like neon and LED lights, has expanded what's possible in art. It challenges old ideas about art and technology.
How have critics and scholars explored the cultural influence and significance of Reyle's work?
Critics have analyzed Reyle's art, seeing how it challenges traditional art and culture. His work has a big impact on today's art scene.
How does Anselm Reyle's artistic vision continue to evolve and inspire new generations of artists?
Reyle's art shows the power of art to change our views of the world. His ongoing vision inspires and shapes the future of art.
Selena Mattei
