【Shanghai·The Bund】Willi Siber : Baroque Pearls 2024.3.9-5.26

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開幕藏家酒會現場 Opening Day

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Willi Siber: Baroque Pearls
Shanghai·The Bund

Born in Upper Swabia, the center of Baroque art history, Willi Siber studied art history at the University of Stuttgart, Germany. His creations inherited the fluidity, theatricality, and splendid visual effects of Baroque art also incorporated a contemporary perspective and nature. Siber once said "My creations stem from change." Over the long artist career, he is known for abstract objects , installations, sculptures. Using wood, steel, epoxy resin, exploring the malleability of materials, focusing not just on the aesthetic expression of materials he constantly research, validation, and overturning of established perceptions, breaking through the limitations of materials. His playfulness with colors further highlights his concise style. Willi Siber's exhibitions have spanned across Europe and the United States, his works permanently collected by German Federal Parliament, the German Embassy in Argentina, Deutsche Bank, Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, Städtisches Kunstmuseum in Singen, and private art museums Kunstwerk Sammlung Klein, Museum Ritter and private collectors worldwide. In 2023 Siber received honor award "Oberschwäbischer Kunstpreis" in Germany.

Museum Villa Rot

Over the course of a 45-year creative journey, Willi Siber has continuously delved into the realms of material, shape, and color. His artistic evolution unfolded during the vibrant era of Abstract Expressionism, where the exploration of form challenged the traditional paradigms of art. Geometric shapes, lines, and color compositions became Siber's medium for interpreting beauty and inner perception. Reflecting on his influences, Siber remarked, "I find myself captivated by the abstract art of Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian." Like Kandinsky, Siber pursued the psychological responses evoked by lines, shapes, and colors, weaving them into his creations to challenge viewers' perceptions and blur the boundaries between familiar visual and tactile experiences. This interplay between form and color became a cornerstone of Siber's distinctive artistic language.

Initially grounded in painting, Siber's artistic trajectory shifted when he inherited his father's wood studio. Gradually, his interest gravitated towards sculpture and three-dimensional installations, marking a pivotal moment in his career around 1980. This period heralded the inception of his experimental material endeavors, with wood serving as the catalyst for his creative exploration. Siber once mused, "My creative impulse stems from change." Through his sculpting, the innate rigidity of wood yielded to rhythmic arc shapes, unveiling unforeseen visual narratives. Moving fluidly between studios with different materials—from wood and steel to different paint—Siber tirelessly explored the boundless possibilities of artistic expression. Notably, his renowned steel sculpture series, crafted from hardened steel, defied conventional expectations with their playful contortions, challenging the perceived weightiness of the metal medium.

In 2024, Bluerider ART．Shanghai proudly presents "Willi Siber: Baroque Pearls," the artist’s first solo exhibition in China. This exhibition unveils over a dozen artworks, ranging from wall installations to sculptures, making their debut in Asia. Siber has meticulously crafted large-scale pieces specifically for this exhibition, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in his creative universe. Among the highlights is the monumental triptych "Tafelobjekt", spanning nearly 4 meters in size. Its sleek surfaces and organic arc shapes interact with light, creating a mesmerizing interplay of shadows and reflections. Other notable additions include new works in the same vein, coated with matte black and white paint, evoking the tactile allure of pearls and engaging viewers on a sensory level. The exhibition also showcases Siber's signature steel sculptures, adorned with opulent hues reminiscent of the Baroque era, juxtaposed against glossy finishes that imbue the works with dynamic energy. Through his art, Siber draws inspiration from the natural world, intertwining textures reminiscent of wind-swept landscapes and morning dew with the opulence of Baroque architecture. This synthesis gives rise to a series of evocative images that transcend the material realm, akin to "Baroque Pearls," each one a testament to Siber's unwavering dedication to celebrating the beauty and vitality of life. In his hands, art becomes a conduit for sensory exploration, inviting viewers on a journey of discovery where boundaries blur, and the essence of beauty is redefined.

Willi Siber : Baroque Pearls
Exhibition Date: March 9, 2024 - May 26, 2024
Bluerider ART Shanghai · The Bund
No. 133 Sichuan Middle Rd., Huangpu Dist., Shanghai
Thu.- Sun. 10am-7pm
info.china@blueriderart.com
Tel +86 21 6330 6166