Galerie Alexandra Saheb
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STEVEN BLACK
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Steven Black

Opening: Saturday, 27 October, 6 pm
30.10. - 20.12.2007
Tuesday - Saturday 12 - 6 pm
We are pleased to be able to present the third exhibition by Steven Black in the Galerie Alexandra Saheb.

Black's new works are conceived as a development of his previous pictorial language. In single portraits, diptychs and triptychs, figures appear once again as a central motif in spaces that are generally only hinted at. Unlike the pictures of the last few years, over the last few months, group portraits have started to emerge in which the same individuals appear a number of times in different positions. Accordingly, several layers of time overlap in the same picture, subsequently merging into a group portrait. Because, in each case, it is the same individual in the same picture, each figure seems to be disconnected from the others - isolated, despite the figures around them. The juxtaposition of figures creates an atmosphere whose intensity is unavoidably transferred to the viewer. The precise paint application gives the faces of those portrayed an almost relief-like quality. Up close, disfigured into a grimace, at a distance, they become recognisable depictions. The surrounding space is represented only schematically with a vague perspective. A few objects - a chair, a plant - create the space behind. Steven Black's painting style is surprising because it never develops in a linear or unilateral way. Each painting has its own special facture. Black's manner of proceeding responds to each person and surrounding individually; and in this exhibition, he also shows works in which not only the figure, but also the background is fully elaborated. Here, a sense of openness gives way to spaces with a heavy, almost gloomy colouring. Despite his painterly range, Steven Black's unmistakable style is clearly recognisable in all of his pictures, demonstrating his virtuosity with the canvas.

For the opening, we are pleased to be able to present Steven Black's first catalogue, with works from 2002-2007, published by argobooks.

Galerie Alexandra Saheb
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