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

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Willi Siber: Baroque Pearls
Shanghai·The Bund

Willi Siber (Germany, b. 1949) graduated from the University of Stuttgart, majoring in Art History. He currently lives and works in Upper Swabia, Germany, and is renowned for his abstract installations. Siber states, "My works are always free and independent objects that do not need to be narratively explained." Drawing from the Baroque art and cultural landscape of southern Germany's Upper Swabia, as well as being surrounded by the boundless natural scenery, Siber transforms and distills the Baroque's opulent colors and rhythms, along with his profound connection to nature, into his abstract works. He continuously explores the plasticity of materials, focusing on shape, color, and texture to overturn viewers' visual perceptions. In 2023, he was awarded Germany's most prestigious cultural honor, the "Oberschwäbischer Kunstpreis." In 2019, he held a retrospective exhibition celebrating 40 years of his work at the Villa Rot Museum in Germany, with his works permanently collected by institutions such as the German Bundestag, the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, the Städtisches Kunstmuseum Singen, the German Embassy in Argentina, Deutsche Bank, private museums Kunstwerk, and Museum Ritter, among others.

Museum Villa Rot

Throughout his 45-year creative journey, Willi Siber has consistently explored materials, shapes, colors, and light. His growth as an artist coincided with the flourishing of Abstract Expressionism, where the study of form challenged traditional artistic frameworks. The composition of geometric shapes, lines, and colors became an artist's way of interpreting "beauty" and internal perception. Siber mentions, "I am fascinated by the development of abstract art by Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian." The psychological reactions triggered by lines, shapes, and colors were the artistic spirit Kandinsky pursued in his creations, and Siber continued to explore the interaction between shapes and colors. The contradictions in forms he created challenge viewers' perceptions of what they see, with the confusion of familiar visual and tactile perceptions becoming part of his unique artistic language.

Initially focused on painting, Siber later developed an interest in sculpture and three-dimensional installations after inheriting his family's timber business. By the 1980s, he began experimenting with wood materials, marking the starting point of his experimental material creations. Siber once said, "My creations stem from change." The rigid texture of wood, under his curved sculpting, is transformed into rhythmically flowing arcs, creating unexpected visual forms. Siber often moves between studios working with different materials, from wood and steel to fiberboard, constantly pushing the boundaries of possibilities. His famous steel sculpture series features twisted metal made from hardened steel, a material that does not easily break under extreme load but appears as light as a bent straw in Siber's hands. Behind seemingly simple shapes lies a series of complex precision craftsmanship and controlled coloring, with seamless welding and bright colors interacting with the materiality, subverting viewers' perceptions of the weight of metal.

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