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16 august 2024, Flor Linckens

Impressive scale in Gallery Untitled

XXL Art, Gallery Untitled

This summer, Gallery Untitled in Rotterdam is all about art on an impressive scale. Until 29 September, the gallery's two back spaces are filled with XXL-sized artworks. At the same time, the gallery presents a retrospective exhibition featuring the work of Sander Buijk.

When an artist creates a large work of art, they not only alter the scale but also transform the relationship between the viewer and the piece. XXL art demands a different approach to space and requires the viewer to adjust their perspective. Monumental works can carry more emotional weight, just as XXS works can. Moreover, the size of the piece compels the artist to think differently and innovatively about the use of materials.

Johan Kleinjan, RGB Valley, 2023, Gallery Untitled

The ‘XXL Art’ exhibition features two large-scale paintings by Johan Kleinjan, who is fascinated by enormous metropolises, particularly those in China, where he completed a residency at the Chinese Institute for Provocation in Beijing in collaboration with the Mondriaan Fund. In the artist's imagination, these diverse urban landscapes take on a life of their own; he merges architecture with memories, transforming cities into urban jungles filled with dizzying structures and staircases reminiscent of optical illusions, rendered in playful and unrealistic colours.

Additionally, the exhibition includes a colossal work by Telmo Pieper, measuring three by two meters. Together with Miel Krutzmann, Pieper forms the artist duo TelmoMiel. They are known for creating large and surreal murals all over the world. Pieper's solo work in this exhibition also evokes a surreal dream world, intensified by the disproportionate clothing of the depicted woman in relation to her body. Her face seems not fully in harmony with the rest of her body, creating a sense of alienation. Despite her modern clothing, the character's pose seems to reference classical painting.

Lenny Oosterwijk, Korenveld, 2022, Gallery Untitled

Lenny Oosterwijk, who often draws inspiration from nature in his practice, presents a monumental work depicting a wheat field. The monumental scale of the work, measuring 157 by 232 centimeters, almost pulls the viewer into the space. The exhibition also features a colourful skyline by Floris Hovers, a 2.5-meter-tall porcelain vase by Pepijn van Nieuwedijk, an ode to the ice cream cone by Florian Borstlap and Ko de Kok, and much more.

The ‘XXL Art’ exhibition showcases a diverse collection of large-scale paintings, sculptures, and other artworks by artists such as Johan Kleinjan, Pai Dekkers, Floris Hovers, Lenny Oosterwijk, Sander Buijk, Wandschappen, Cirque de Pepin, Telmo Pieper, Ingrid Baars, Florian Borstlap & Ko de Kok and Luuk Bode.

Parallel to ‘XXL Art,’ Gallery Untitled is currently celebrating the oeuvre of Sander Buijk with the solo exhibition ‘Retrospective'. This exhibition, on display until 1 September, offers an overview of his career, featuring both well-known and new works. Despite his recognisable style, Buijk continues to surprise by taking new creative directions. His humorous sculpture ‘Hiccup’ also takes center stage in the ‘XXL’ exhibition.

Cirque de Pepin, the nai han blue creatures vaas, 2023, Gallery Untitled

The ‘XXL Art’ exhibition runs until 29 September 2024. Sander Buijk's ‘Retrospective’ will be on view at Gallery Untitled until 1 September 2024. Please note: in August, the gallery is closed on Fridays and Saturdays and open only on Sundays from 11:00 to 17:00.

Flor Linckens

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16 august 2024, Flor Linckens

Impressive scale in Gallery Untitled

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