Markus Amm

Herald St is pleased to announce the first UK solo exhibition from German artist Markus Amm, born 1971, Emsdetten. Lives and works in London.

The work of Markus Amm allies itself with a history of aesthetics and approaches, delving most notably into those of early 20th century Modernism. Investing in the ideas and visions of artists such as Klee or Kandinsky in form and rhythm and moving through the practices of design and architecture, the results are less hybrid and more meditations on such form and structure. This relation to art histories and periods builds a dialogue with the past, but more specifically a personal account as the works also enjoy a cross-referential history reflected in their techniques and the hangs deployed by Amm. Many mediums materialize and play off each other. As much as the concerns are painterly the mediums are varied; as well as paint Amm utilizes photography, collage and drawing in its place. Paintings which are perceived as strict modernist grids reveal a more subtle, time consumed surface. Special papers are used, be they an old worn out photograph or a yellowed writing sheet, the effect is akin to the work seeming fragile or second hand. In his photographic works Amm directly utilizes techniques of the past, methods such as the photogram or luminogram where abstract forms are created through self exposing of the photographic stock or the folding and curling of these papers in on themselves. Often a collage –like hang might bring these photographs into direct relation with a painting or drawing creating small, informal, salon type groupings. This can often lead to new discoveries in the works that belie a sense of complete abstraction, Amm utlilises such hangs as testing grounds for ideas rooted in Modernism.

For his show at Herald St Markus Amm will show new work across various mediums including a new site-specific wall painting. Markus Amm is currently undertaking a residency at Delfina Studios, London. Recent exhibitions include Formalismus, Kunsteverein Hamburg and William Blake & Sons, Lewis Gluckman gallery, Cork, Ireland.

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Markus Amm