Heike Kabisch
Deep down into the ditch
10 March – 19 April 2012

Chert is delighted to present the second solo exhibition of Heike Kabisch (b. 1978 in Münster, lives and works in Düsseldorf and Berlin) at the gallery.

In recent years Kabisch has been producing sculptures and installations that return to classic figuration and representation by creating her subjects based on real studio models. Rather then using abstraction and symbolism to reflect on reality, she reverses the process, creating familiar scenes evoking the uncomfortable futility of daily realities.

Exemplifying Kabisch’s practice is the piece Under the Umbrella (2012); a work that cites a fountain she discovered in the small southern German town of Markdorf. Unlike the idealized romantic figures in the original fountain, Kabisch creates characters that are inherently portrayed full of tension and contradictions. Leaving the materials intentionally unadorned, the complete work displaces the idea of the 19th century traditional village fountain into the now.

Kabisch’s work opposes contemporary aesthetics, challenging public opinion and understanding of sculpture. Using one of the more classic and direct artistic mediums, her sculptures open up a discussion against generally accepted artistic languages.

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Installation view.
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‘Waving Boy’,2012. Jesmonite, wood, metal, paint. 200 x 361 x 71 cm.
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‘Waving Boy’,2012. Jesmonite, wood, metal, paint. 200 x 361 x 71 cm.
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‘Waving Boy’,2012. Jesmonite, wood, metal, paint. 200 x 361 x 71 cm.
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‘Under the umbrella’, 2012. Poster: print on paper, framed.Sculptures: Jesmonite, copper. Bassin: Plastic. Bassin with Sculpture: 164 x 270 x 225 cm.
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‘Under the umbrella’, 2012. Poster: print on paper, framed.Sculptures: Jesmonite, copper. Bassin: Plastic. Bassin with Sculpture: 164 x 270 x 225 cm.
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‘Under the umbrella’, 2012. Poster: print on paper, framed.Sculptures: Jesmonite, copper. Bassin: Plastic. Bassin with Sculpture: 164 x 270 x 225 cm.
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‘1,2,3’, 2012.Jesmonite, wood, metal, cardboard, paint. 191 x 26 x 110 cm.
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‘1,2,3’, 2012.Jesmonite, wood, metal, cardboard, paint. 191 x 26 x 110 cm.
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‘1,2,3’, 2012.Jesmonite, wood, metal, cardboard, paint. 191 x 26 x 110 cm.
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Installation view.

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