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A baroque wink to pop art
With the exhibition Hola, Galerie De Wael 15 offers a playful and layered introduction to the work of self-taught Karl Mechnig (°1959, Aalst). The artist himself describes his practice as a balancing act between baroque refinement and pop art playfulness, in which he holds his creative freedom in high regard. The work feels like a wink, an invitation to reflect on the power of word and image in a world full of visual stimuli.
Collages as a foundation
Mechnig starts his creative process with collages, a method he adopted early on. He used to work with scissors and glue, but nowadays he uses digital techniques. Yet intuition remains leading; he leaves reason behind. "I start from feeling," he says about his artistic practice. "My collages combine iconographic images from earlier times with contemporary influences, such as comic art and cartoons. As a result, the works acquire an almost cinematographic intensity, as if they are stills from a film that has never been told." This is reinforced by a storyboard-like presentation, in which the works next to each other suggest new stories.
Baroque and pop art: between Rubens and Raysse
Mechnig's hybrid style reflects his fascinations: the baroque dynamism of Rubens and the colourful splendour of Martial Raysse. Just like with Rubens, we see an emphasis on movement and emotion in Mechnig's paintings. But where Rubens tells stories about mythology and religion, Mechnig looks for 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 the visual impact, text plays an important role in his work. Mechnig does not use words as explanations, but as associative impulses. Sometimes he translates sounds into writing, a passing car or background music are visually added to the canvas. At other times, the words function as collage elements, without a direct relationship to the image. This free association makes the works layered; they invite the viewer to discover meanings again and again.
Mechnig's use of materials is just as 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 once again emphasises the duality in his work: between order and chaos, humour and seriousness.
Comic art as a lifeline
Mechnig's passion for comics is more than an aesthetic choice; it is a common thread in his life. At the age of 24, he opened his own comic shop, driven by a desire for independence. American comics, such as Tarzan, have 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 ties in with his love for the epic stories of Homer. It is as if Mechnig pays tribute to the heroes of then and now with each work.
Satire and playfulness
What makes the exhibition special is the playful and sometimes satirical tone. The title itself, derived from one of his doodles, evokes a sense of lightness and humor. But behind this lightness lies a sharp sense of observation. Mechnig poses questions about 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 does not offer 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 quest 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 the words of Mechnig himself: "Take a look. What do you see? And let me know."
- YVES JORIS
With the exhibition Hola, Galerie De Wael 15 offers a playful and layered introduction to the work of self-taught Karl Mechnig (°1959, Aalst). The artist himself describes his practice as a balancing act between baroque refinement and pop art playfulness, in which he holds his creative freedom in high regard. The work feels like a wink, an invitation to reflect on the power of word and image in a world full of visual stimuli.
Collages as a foundation
Mechnig starts his creative process with collages, a method he adopted early on. He used to work with scissors and glue, but nowadays he uses digital techniques. Yet intuition remains leading; he leaves reason behind. "I start from feeling," he says about his artistic practice. "My collages combine iconographic images from earlier times with contemporary influences, such as comic art and cartoons. As a result, the works acquire an almost cinematographic intensity, as if they are stills from a film that has never been told." This is reinforced by a storyboard-like presentation, in which the works next to each other suggest new stories.
Baroque and pop art: between Rubens and Raysse
Mechnig's hybrid style reflects his fascinations: the baroque dynamism of Rubens and the colourful splendour of Martial Raysse. Just like with Rubens, we see an emphasis on movement and emotion in Mechnig's paintings. But where Rubens tells stories about mythology and religion, Mechnig looks for 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 the visual impact, text plays an important role in his work. Mechnig does not use words as explanations, but as associative impulses. Sometimes he translates sounds into writing, a passing car or background music are visually added to the canvas. At other times, the words function as collage elements, without a direct relationship to the image. This free association makes the works layered; they invite the viewer to discover meanings again and again.
Mechnig's use of materials is just as 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 once again emphasises the duality in his work: between order and chaos, humour and seriousness.
Comic art as a lifeline
Mechnig's passion for comics is more than an aesthetic choice; it is a common thread in his life. At the age of 24, he opened his own comic shop, driven by a desire for independence. American comics, such as Tarzan, have 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 ties in with his love for the epic stories of Homer. It is as if Mechnig pays tribute to the heroes of then and now with each work.
Satire and playfulness
What makes the exhibition special is the playful and sometimes satirical tone. The title itself, derived from one of his doodles, evokes a sense of lightness and humor. But behind this lightness lies a sharp sense of observation. Mechnig poses questions about 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 does not offer 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 quest 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 the words of Mechnig himself: "Take a look. What do you see? And let me know."
- YVES JORIS
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“Bewogen beeld” : Galerie S & H De Buck
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“La part des anges” : Villa de Olmen ( Wieze ) – curatoren Reniere & Depla
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“Miniaturen” : Museum 1302 ( Kortrijk )
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“Stories” : Galerie S & H De Buck
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Modern Art Foundation Bejing ( Bejing – China )
Galerie Denise Van De Velde (Aalst)
Belgische ambassade Bejing – China
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Between earth and heaven ( a tribute to Willy Van Den Bussche ) Stichting kunstboek . PAK
Spiegel im spiegel . ( over de grenzen van de psychiatrie ) PAK
Faces . ( PAK)
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HOLA - Art Gallery De Wael 15
2023
Lipstick on a cup of coffee ( PAK)
FEAR ( Beernem ) Museum Ghuislain ism PAK
2022
Ik zal eens goed komen lachen met je expositie ( Diskus Aalst – curator Jan DE Nijs)
Eden Kunstenfestival ( Roeselare )
Of mice and men (Verduyn Gallery Moregem )
No more secrets (PAK)
10 jaar Pak
2021
Fuck you ( kunstenhuis Harelbeke – curator Klaus Verscheure)
Enter deux nuages ( PAK)
A butterfly’s scream ( Beernem – curator PAK en Museum Ghuislain )
2020
Crucifixion (PAK)
De blik ( galerie Morbee Knokke – curator Daan Rau )
Barking dogs and drawing rooms (PAK)
2019
Wonderland , humans & landscapes ( PAK )
2018
Faces ( PAK ism Guislain museum), Beernem
Behind closed doors ( PAK Gistel )
Between earth and heaven II (PAK)
Kastelenkunstroute Zottegem ( CAS Zottegem )
2016
Drawing Rooms ( PAK )
Karl Mechnig & Paul de Reus I presume (Utrecht) DAK
2015
Spiegel im Spiegel (Beernem PAK in samenwerking met Guislain museum)
2014
De dweil als alibi (CC De Spil/Roeselare)
Erscheinung (PAK/Gistel)
2013
Het Witte Huis (Roeselare)
“ Het paradijs – le paradis – the paradise” (deel 2) – Galerie S & H De Buck
The Big Draw – Galerie S & H De Buck
Exchange (Brass/Brussel)
2012
“Bewogen beeld” : Galerie S & H De Buck
“Het Paradijs – le paradis – the paradise ( deel 1 )/ Galerie S & H de buck
Salon Blanc (Oostende)
2011
“La part des anges” : Villa de Olmen ( Wieze ) – curatoren Reniere & Depla
2010
“Miniaturen” : Museum 1302 ( Kortrijk )
“ Tell me a story” : Le coin c gallery ( Knokke)
2009
“Stories” : Galerie S & H De Buck
“Zonder Grenzen” :CC Hasselt
“The Border / Gigacase Gent Galerie S & H De Buck
2008
Modern Art Foundation Bejing ( Bejing – China )
Galerie Denise Van De Velde (Aalst)
Belgische ambassade Bejing – China
“Miniaturen” CC Hasselt
Lineart Gent : Galerie S & H De Buck
2007
Boekentoren Gent
Kasteel Coloma ( ism Denise Van De Velde)
Lineart Gent : Galerie S & H De Buck
2006
NV Zebrastraat ( Gent )
“Gewonnen land / verdronken land “ : Galerie S & H De Buck
Aula Rijksuniversiteit Gent
Publicaties:
“Contemporary art in Belgium 2007” door Bart De Baere en Henri Bounameaux
“Gras dat verder groeit “ met gedichten van Jozef Deleu
(H)art nr 5
“Merci Marie Petronelle” door Pascale Geulleaume
The Border 2009
Tussen hamer en aambeeld
(H)art Oktober 2012
Het paradijs – Le paradis – The paradise
80 Atelierbeelden door Didier Verriest
Erscheinung (H)art, november 2014
Between earth and heaven ( a tribute to Willy Van Den Bussche ) Stichting kunstboek . PAK
Spiegel im spiegel . ( over de grenzen van de psychiatrie ) PAK
Faces . ( PAK)
TEKENINGEN Karl Mechnig : uitgeverij Matador nav Behind Closed Doors ( PAK )
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