Going against the tide, Copers started to reintroduce metaphors and symbols into a visually conceptual practice. By using antagonistic objects, in surreal and alienating combinations, he aims at creating tensions, both figuratively and literally. His objects and installations are on – and often over – the edge of being alarmingly dangerous and destructive and thus challenge our built-in expectations in a very visceral way. Water, fire and electricity for example are often connected in a way that makes us cringe with fear while being moved by its poetic beauty. On the verge of danger, on the edge of life.
We started our gallery in 1986 with a solo exhibition by Leo Copers.
Untitled – Regenboogstoel,1969, was part of this exhibition.
This work is one of the first works by Copers where he used burning lamps and water. This work is also particular because Copers at that time used rainbow colours in different installations, sculptures and drawings. The basin filled with water was made after a remembrance of his childhood: his grandmother peeling potatoes and throwing them in a water basin.