27 january 2025, Flor Linckens
A double encounter with Ulrike Rehm
Ulrike Rehm is currently showcasing a solo exhibition across two locations in Amsterdam: Christie’s and GoMulan Gallery. This unique collaboration offers a comprehensive overview of the versatile oeuvre of the German artist. Visiting both exhibitions is easily manageable on Thursdays and Fridays, with just a 20-minute walk or a short tram ride between the two venues. 'Spiel' will be on display at GoMulan Gallery until 9 February and at Christie’s until 21 February 2025.
Ulrike Rehm was born in 1976 in Halle, a city that was part of East Germany until 1990, but the artist has lived and worked in Amsterdam for several years now. Her artistic journey began in a German woodworking guild, followed by studies in art history and restoration at the Technical University of Berlin, a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie, and a Master’s in Applied Arts at the Sandberg Institute in Amsterdam. This fusion of traditional techniques and a conceptual approach forms the foundation of her artistic practice.
Rehm’s work is driven by deep curiosity, a pronounced experimental spirit and a fascination with ancient storytelling traditions, as well as the symbolism and archetypal figures from folklore and fairy tales. The artist skilfully intertwines these archetypes and narratives with contemporary art and current topics in society. Her works resemble fragments of a dismantled past, yet they simultaneously invite viewers to reflect on the world and our shortcomings with a gentle perspective. This interplay between past and present is a recurring theme within her practice.
Rehm experiments with various materials, including soap, porcelain, ceramics, wood, paper and straw. She employs a diverse range of techniques and often deliberately chooses labour-intensive crafts, viewing them as a counter-response to a society that often prioritises efficiency. Her work frequently combines three-dimensional and two-dimensional elements, incorporating forced perspectives and trompe-l’oeil effects.
In 'Spiel', the artist explores themes such as power, tradition and identity, casting a playful yet critical eye on certain cultural and societal conventions. She combines a “masculine” visual language from East Germany with techniques that are traditionally considered “feminine,” such as embroidery and crochet. This tension between form and content is a recurring thread throughout her oeuvre. Yet, alongside these deeper layers of meaning, Rehm’s sculptures are imbued with a sharp sense of humour.
The exhibition includes medals, a green winners’ podium adorned with symbols and footprints, uneven bowling pins, and sculptures that provoke questions about traditions and power structures. These works highlight the intricate interplay between games, culture and tradition, while also inviting reflection on the constant evolution of form and meaning. Other pieces reference vibrantly decorated children’s notebooks (rendered in textile), a peace handkerchief, a flag, a bucket placed against a wall, and a banner bearing the words “alles ist schon da” – open to interpretation as “everything is already here,” “everything is present,” or “everything exists already.” Is it an advertisement banner or a celebration banner?
Rehm’s work has previously been exhibited at the Stedelijk Museum, Kunstmuseum Den Haag, Keramiekmuseum Princessehof and Salone del Mobile Milano. She was a finalist in the Dutch television programme De Nieuwe Rembrandt and completed a residency at the European Ceramic Work Centre (EKWC) in Oisterwijk. Her work is part of various collections including AkzoNobel, Louis Vuitton, Spazio Rossana Orlandi and Keramiekmuseum Princessehof.
Opening hours
Christie's Amsterdam: Mo-Fr | 9.00-17.30
GoMulan Gallery: Th-Su | 12.00-18.00 (and by appointment)
