A baroque nod to pop art
With the exhibition Hola, Galerie De Wael 15 brings a playful and layered introduction to the work of self-taught artist Karl Mechnig (b. 1959, Aalst). The artist himself describes his practice as a balancing act between baroque sophistication and pop art playfulness, valuing his creative freedom. The work feels like a wink, an invitation to reflect on the power of words and images in a world full of visual stimuli.
Collages as a foundation
Mechnig starts his creative process with collages, a method he made his own early on. Once working with scissors and glue, he now uses digital techniques. Still, intuition remains leading; he leaves reason behind. “I start from feeling,” he tells himself about his artistic practice. “My collages combine iconographic images from earlier times with contemporary influences, such as comic book art and cartoons. This gives the works an almost cinematic intensity, as if they were stills from a movie that was never told.” This is reinforced by a storyboard-like presentation, with the works juxtaposed to suggest new stories all over again.
Baroque and pop art: between Rubens and Raysse
Mechnig's hybrid style reflects his fascinations: the baroque dynamism of Rubens and the color splendor of Martial Raysse. Like Rubens, we see an emphasis on movement and emotion in Mechnig's paintings. But where Rubens tells stories of mythology and religion, Mechnig seeks an ironic -- or is it iconic -- wink. His works borrow elements from American comics and pop culture, but at the same time Old Masters also wander through his work.
Rhythm of words and images
In addition to visual impact, text plays an important role in his work. Mechnig uses words not as explanations, but as associative impulses. Sometimes he translates sounds into writing; a passing car or background music are added audiovisually. At other times, the words act as collage elements, with no direct relationship to the image. This free association makes the works layered; they invite the viewer to continually rediscover meanings.
Mechnig's use of materials is equally versatile: a mix of oil paint, oil pastel and charcoal. The combination of techniques gives his paintings a tactile quality, with some parts looking almost photographic while others remain sketchy. This contrast again emphasizes the duality in his work: between order and chaos, humor and seriousness.
Comic art as a lifeline
Mechnig's passion for comics is more than an aesthetic choice; it is a thread running through his life. At the age of 24, he opened his own comic book store, driven by a desire for independence. American comics, such as Tarzan, strongly influenced his visual language. The visual power of these comics echoes in his paintings, in which heroic figures often play a central role. This fascination with heroism aligns with his love of Homer's epic tales. It is as if, with each work, Mechnig pays tribute to the heroes of past and present.
Satire and playfulness
What makes the expo special is its playful and sometimes satirical tone.The title itself, derived from one of his droedels, evokes a sense of lightheartedness and humor.But behind this lightheartedness is a keen sense of observation.Mechnig questions authenticity and meaning.His works, however layered, remain accessible.They invite the viewer to step into his colorful world without prejudice.
Open ending
Karl Mechnig's work offers no ready-made answers; it challenges, surprises and amuses. Hola feels like a greeting, an invitation to view life through a different lens. Just as Mechnig himself describes his process as a search without a predetermined plan, he invites the viewer to look at his work without fixed expectations.
His working method is an ode to the power of imagination. Hola is not just an exhibition; it is a dialogue, a moment of exchange between artist and audience. In Mechnig's own words, “Look. What do you see? And let it be known.”
text: Yves Joris