DavisKlemmGallery presents the exhibition “Fields of Color” from January 26th till March 29th, 2025. It unites two positions that expand the possibilities of color field painting and abstraction in an individual way. While Maria Wallenstål-Schoenberg unfolds a painterly sensuality with her luminous color fields and dynamic structures, Julian Opie reduces the world to clear forms and lines. Together they start a dialogue between abstraction and simplification, between color and form.
From Color Field to Fields of Color:
Maria Wallenstål-Schoenberg's abstract works thrive on the intensity and presence of their colors. The artist uses a palette knife to apply oil paint to canvas, creating vibrant surfaces that convey both clarity and depth. From a distance, her color fields appear two-dimensional, but up close they reveal a complexity that constantly challenges the eye
In contrast, Julian Opie simplifies the real world into geometric shapes. His landscape series, for example, uses colored triangles that converge in a central vanishing point. Opie's works such as “Crossing” captivate with their changing colors, which switch depending on the viewing angle. Together, the two show how abstract art can lead to an intense visual experience
On Color Field Painting and emotion:
Large, uniform surfaces - pure color and pure emotion. Without color field painting, much of today's art would be inconceivable. This is particularly true of Maria Wallenstål-Schoenberg's luminous works. As one of the most important trends in abstract art, which originated in the USA in the 1940s and 1950s, color field painting continues to have an impact today. The best-known representatives include Mark Rothko, whose works have an almost meditative effect, Barnett Newman, who creates tension through his “zips” (narrow vertical lines), and Helen Frankenthaler, who developed the “soak stain” technique, allowing color fields to flow onto canvases..
The works of Maria Wallenstål-Schoenberg and Julian Opie show a clear connection to color field painting. Wallenstål-Schoenberg takes up the idea of large, luminous areas of color, but adds a tactile, vibrant texture that expands the traditional approach. Opie's works, although less painterly, use a similar reduction and color effect to create an emotional and aesthetic intensity.
Color space:
The exhibition “Fields of Color” offers an exciting interpretation and further development of color field painting. On a tour of the gallery, the contrasting hanging of the works is striking: Wallenstål-Schoenberg's works with their intense, vibrant colors are in dialogue with Opie's clear lines and two-dimensional compositions. Viewers experience how color and form open up spaces and activate perception.
Wallenstål-Schoenberg's large-format works, for example, with their vibrant pink and orange tones, are like windows to a lively, emotional world. Opie's abstract depictions of walkers or landscapes create a calming yet dynamic effect through their geometric precision. Together, the two create a visual journey that takes us both into the past of color field painting and into the present.
Biographical infos:
Maria Wallenstål-Schoenberg, born 1959 in Uppsala, Sweden, geboren, studied at the University of Uppsala. After moving to Germany, she took art courses with lecturer Clemens Etz in Ulm and with Prof. Jerry Zeniuk at the Munich Art Academy. In addition to numerous private collections, her works can be found at the Museo Irpino, Avellino, Italy, and at the Technical University of Munich, among others. She lives and works in Munich and Sweden.
Julian Opie, born 1958 in London, studied at Chelsea School of Art and at Goldsmiths School of Art. His unmistakable works with clear contours and flat colors are appreciated worldwide. One of his most recent projects in public spaces is „Promenade à Paris“ at Porte de Clichy Metro Station (2024). His works can be found in numerous museums, including the Tate Modern in London and the MOMA in New York. He lives and works in London.
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