Works by Arvid Boecker
Arvid Boecker is a German abstract painter whose work mobilizes the tensions and harmonies that exist between color relationships, textures, and the processes of time. He lives and works in Heidelberg, Germany.
Education
Boecker studied art history at the University of Trier from 1987-89, and studied at the University of Fine Arts Saar, Saarbrücken, from 1989-94. He has completed residencies at ACME Studios London, Katwijk aan Zee, NL, and Kilmuir, Isle of Skye, GB.
Technique
Boecker begins each new work by penciling in his composition. But the work ultimately is about the colors and layers that will evolve on the surface over time. He builds his paint up in a slow process, adding layers of color then partially removing them, allowing the echoes of erosion to remain visible in the final work. The screen printing squeegees he employs add their unique impressions to the surface, mixing the visual language of painting with that of printing. The gradual accumulation of pigment conveys a visual sense of depth, while also communicating a bittersweet emotional feeling that time is passing. The longer one stares at the surface, the further inward the mind may wander towards the underlying landscapes of color and light.
Inspiration
Boecker derives inspiration from opposing forces he perceives in the visual world. He brings out harmonies and tensions between light and dark hues, and between fields of unbroken color and worn down layers. He finds guidance for the next painting from the final state of his previous painting. The idea that his progressions unfolding in a series lets creative momentum build from one composition to the next. Through the comparisons he makes between each work and the last he comes to understand what makes each painting unique. He is also interested in cycles, gradual forces, and the pressures they exert. While constructing his images he is not frivolous, but rather thoughtful and repetitious, building and layering. This method is born of an appreciation for natural rhythms, and a desire to emulate the elemental aspects of nature.
Relevant Quotes
Professor Hans Gercke of the Academy of Fine Arts, Saarbrucken, Germany wrote about Boecker's work: “Boecker always takes a fresh approach to the painting process through the parameters of format, picture size, segmentation and surface structuring: through rhythm and layering; through the balance of rule and deviation, construction, impression and expression; through the horizontal and the vertical; and through the relationship of colour tones, light and dark, cold and warm; a truly inexhaustible subject that skirts redundancy, despite or perhaps because of Boecker's strict minimalistic stance and systematic approach.”
Exhibitions
Boecker has exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions, including at White Cube Gallery, New York, Gallery p13, Heidelberg, ART Cologne, Factory 49, Sydney, NIAD Art Center, Richmond, CA, and Factory 49, Sydney.
Solo Exhibitions
2019
Museum St. Wendel
2018
Closer, Galerie Schmidt und Schütte Köln
Watching paint dry, Kunstverein Brackenheim
Galerie Grashey Konstanz
Villa Goecke Ralph Kleinsimlinghaus, Krefeld
2017
Behind the clouds, Galerie P13, Dr. Kristina Hoge, Heidelberg
Better late than ugly , Galerie oqbo, Berlin
Same Difference, RaumX, London
ceaseless, Kunstraum Boeckercontemporary, Heidelberg
2016
morning sun, Galerie Schütte, Essen
Insomnia, Stout Projects, Brooklyn, New York
On a clear Day, Factory 49, Sydney
A good Day, +Punkt, Heidelberg
2015
Surfaced from his dive, Galerie Ursula Grashey, Konstanz
2014
Atmen, Villa Goecke Ralph Kleinsimlinghaus, Krefeld
Dance*Dance*Dance, Galerie p13, Dr. Kristina Hoge, Heidelberg
2012
Take your time, Städtische Galerie Neunkirchen
Square colours, Galerie p13, Dr. Kristina Hoge, Heidelberg
2011
Kunsthaus Frankenthal, Frankenthal
Florida Green, Galerie Ursula Grashey, Konstanz
Echo, Galerie p13, Dr. Kristina Hoge, Heidelberg
2010
Alle Zeit der Welt, Villa Goecke Ralph Kleinsimlinghaus, Krefeld
2009
Wundern, Galerie Ursula Grashey, Konstanz
2008
Studio La Ciotat, Museum Schloss Fellenberg, Merzig
2007
Galerie Veronika Kautsch, Michelstadt
Studio La Ciotat, Galerie Robert Drees, Hannover
2006
Kilmuir Walk, Galerie Ursula Grashey, Konstanz
art Karlsruhe, one-man-show, Galerie Ursula Grashey
Kilmuir Walk, Villa Goecke Ralph Kleinsimlinghaus, Krefeld
2005
Milch, Heidelberger Kunstverein
Honig, Galerie Robert Drees, Hannover
2004
Rubin, Galerie Ursula Grashey, Konstanz
2003
Tokyoumbra, Saarländisches Künstlerhaus, Saarbrücken
one-man-show, Art Frankfurt, Galerie Markus Nohn
2002
Orange, Galerie Markus Nohn, Frankfurt
Galerie Wolfgang Exner, Wien
2000
blickdicht., Galerie Robert Drees, Hannover
1999
Kochfelder, Galerie Markus Nohn, Trier
1998
Galerie Markus Nohn, Trier
9 ¾x 12 ½, The White Cube Gallery, New York
1997
Galerie Ludwig, Krefeld
25x32, Galerie Feiter & Drees, Hannover
1996
Galerie Thieme + Pohl, Darmstadt
unentwegt, Forum Kunst Rottweil
1995
Stadtmuseum Groß-Gerau
Group Exhibitions
2019
Black Box(es), Casino Luxemburg, Forum d'art contemporain, Luxemburg
2018
Forever young an smart, Villa Goecke Ralph Kleinsimlinghaus, Krefeld
Große Kunstausstellung NRW, Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf
Fears collapse inside, Projectspace Corridor, Dayton,USA
Black Box(es), Künstlerhaus Saar, Saarbrücken
Black Box(es), La 'S' Grand Atelier, Vielsalm Belgium
Fiction, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Absolute, Boeckercontemporary, Heidelberg
Verein für aktuelle Kunst/Ruhrgebiet, Oberhausen
4ABSTRACT2NOT Quadrart-Dornbirn Galerie Erhard Witzel
Paul Williams Gallery, Ontario, CA
Slow Art, University Museum and Art Gallery, Hong Kong
Sydney Paris Sunrise, Galerie Abstract Project, Paris
Destill, Artspace Track One, Nashville, Tennessee
2017
Fiction, Apothecary Gallery Chattanooga, Tennessee
Restatement, Kunstverein Brackenheim
Saarart11, Landeskunstausstellung Saarland
Fiction, NIAD Art Center, Richmond, CA
Trans, Raygun Projects, Toowoomba, Australien
RNPG Germany, Kunstraum e9a, Freiburg
Black Box(es), Faux Mouvement, Centre d'art contemporain, Metz
Fiction, Julian Jackson's Studio, Brooklyn, NY
Nebukadnezar , Forum Kunst, Rottweil
2016
Große Kunstausstellung NRW, Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf
Windows, Pluspace, Coventry, GB
Restatement, Galerie Schmidt und Schütte, Köln
Fiction (With Only Daylight Between Us) v.2 , Corridor Projects, Dayton, Ohio
Sandwiches, Cartel Artspace, Bangkok
An einem Tisch – Zeitgenössische Positionen geometrischer Abstraktion, Galerie Robert Drees, Hannover
Fiction, Grady Gallery, Elgin Community College, Chicago
Ramchandra Tulsian Art Gallery, Surat, Indien
2015
Accrochage,Galerie p13, Dr. Kristina Hoge, Heidelberg
Abstract Strategies, Galerie Mirta Demare, Rotterdam
2013
Aus dem Depot, mpk, Museum Pfalzgalerie, Kaiserslautern
Rembrandt Calling, Villa Goecke Ralph Kleinsimlinghaus Krefeld
Landeskunstausstellung, Saarländisches Künstlerhaus, Saarbrücken
2012
Kunstverein Ellwangen
Ein Fest, Saarländisches Künstlerhaus
2011
Geheimnisvolle Zwischenwelten, Museum Pfalzgalerie
2010
Saarländisches Künstlerhaus, Saarbrücken
Regionale, Wilhelm-Hack Museum Ludwigshafen
Nebenwege, Städtische Galerie Neunkirchen
2009
showtime, Temporäre Kunsthalle Weinheim
2008
art Karlsruhe, ARTAX Kunsthandel
Moderne Galerie, Saarlandmuseum, Saarbrücken
2007
Tysk Samtisds Kunst, Galleri Tonne, Oslo
Kunstbewegt, Künstlerbund Baden-Württemberg, Neckarsulm
Sammelsurium III, Forum Kunst Rottweil, Rottweil
kombiniert, Museum Pfalzgalerie Kaiserslautern
2006
Kunst Zürich, Galerie Robert Drees
2005
Vier Deutsche Maler, Galleri Tonne, Oslo
Stripes-Lines-Colors, Galerie Wolfgang Exner, Wien
Kunstverein Augsburg, mit Uwe Esser und Jürgen Jansen
Tangenten, Stadtgalerie Saarbrücken
2004
Arte Fiera, Bologna, Galerie Robert Drees
Amber Room Society, Künstlerhaus Dortmund
Colors and Stripes, Galerie Robert Drees, Hannover
Kunst-Szene-Saar, Städtische Galerie Neunkirchen
2003
Narrenspiegel, Forum Kunst, Rottweil
Amber Room Society, Galerie Robert Drees, Hannover
Form und Struktur, Kunstverein Schloss Plön
Kunstlos, Stadtgalerie Saarbrücken
2002
Art Frankfurt, Galerie Robert Drees
Amber Room Society, Raum 1, Krefeld
Überblick, Galerie Wolfgang Exner, Wien
2001
Honeymoon, Institut für aktuelle Kunst im Saarland, Saarlouis
Walter Storms Galerie, München
Am Grün fehlt es doch nicht, Künstlerhaus, Saarbrücken
Changer/Wechsel, Forum Vebikus, Schaffhausen, CH
2000
Visionen, Saarland Museum, Saarbrücken
WeltAusstellung, Von der Heydt Museum, Wuppertal
1999
Art Frankfurt, Galerie Markus Nohn, Galerie Feiter & Drees
1998
Art Frankfurt, Galerie Markus Nohn, Galerie Feiter & Drees
Preis der Darmstädter Sezession, Darmstadt
Zeichnung, Dominikanermuseum, Rottweil
1997
Whitworth Gallery, Manchester, GB
Große Kunstausstellung NRW, Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf
1996
Artifizielle Natur, Städtische Galerie Böblingen
Flexible 2, Museum Tilburg, NL
Art Cologne, Galerie Thieme + Pohl
Große Kunstausstellung NRW, Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf
1995
Work Art, Galerie der Stadt Stuttgart
Kunstverein Villa Streccius, Landau
Farbenheit, Saarländischer Künstlerbund, Stadtgalerie Saarbrücken
We are happy to serve you, Kunsthalle Barmen, Wuppertal
Kunst-Szene-Saar, Saarland Museum, Saarbrücken
Art Fairs
Art Cologne, Kunst Zürich, Art Karlsruhe, Art Fair Köln
Art Frankfurt, Viennafair, Art Fair Düsseldorf
Arte Fiera Bologna, Kunst Wien, Art Bodensee
1995
Prozesse der Häutung, Stadtmuseum Gross-Gerau
1996
unentwegt, Forum Kunst Rottweil
1998
9 ¾x 12 ½, The White Cube Gallery, New York
2000
blickdicht., Galerie Robert Drees, Hannover/ Galerie Markus Nohn,Trier
2003
Tokyoumbra, Saarländisches Künstlerhaus, Saarbrücken
2005
Milch + Honig, Heidelberger Kunstverein, Heidelberg
2006
Kilmuir Walk, Villa Goecke Ralph Kleinsimlinghaus, Krefeld
2007
Studio La Ciotat, Galerie Robert Drees, Hannover
2010
Alle Zeit der Welt, Villa Goecke Ralph Kleinsimlinghaus, Krefeld
2012
Take your time, Städtische Galerie Neunkirchen
2014
Dance*Dance*Dance, Galerie p13, Dr. Kristina Hoge, Heidelberg
2016
Arvid Boecker, Landratsamt Rhein-Neckar-Kreis
2018
Watching paint dry, Verein für aktuelle Kunst/Ruhrgebiet, Oberhausen