Stage #3: Abstract Art Marathon

Abstract Art Selection by Lu Luo, Willi Siber, Rainer Splitt, Jos van Merendonk

Lu Luo

Lu Luo (b. 1971, CHN) considers her artworks a fascinating stage on which stories converge through different times and spaces. Playfully, she articulates her questions about the self, being, nurturing, relationality and the complicated experiences of emotions, feelings and moods on the canvas.

Lu Luo was born in Sichuan, a province in southwestern China. Luo's work is characterized by the recurring motif of classical Chinese kimonos and theater costumes from original Chinese plays and operas. This is done in different ways and with different materials. Initially, she used the original fabrics of these beautiful costumes directly on the canvas. But gradually she also developed other methods and visual elements that allow her to incorporate the characteristic shapes, patterns and specific symbols that adorn the garments.

BAS GEERTS

Bas Geerts' work is characterized by an openness of form, a kind of agility that manifests itself on several levels simultaneously. In the first place, there is the play of colors. Bright hues enter into a synthesis and optically merge into new shades. Secondly, the painting itself seems to change according to the position the viewer takes in relation to the work.

Willi siber

The sculptures and wall objects of Willi Siber (b. 1949, DE) are known for their dynamic forms and reflective qualities, creating playful interactions with light and space. From his studio in Germany, Siber pushes the boundaries of material and form. He captivates a wide audience with his unique artistic vision and receives worldwide recognition for his work due to his ability to transform simple materials into visually stunning works.

In addition to its formal inventiveness, Siber's work is also notable for his use of color. With a palette that ranges from muted earth tones to energetic pinks and greens, he seems to instinctively match form and color. Arched base sculptures, covered in immaculate layers of lacquer, possess a luxurious sheen and beckon like jewels, while other works, covered in dark, powdery hues, are quiet and subdued.

Rainer Splitt

Rainer Splitt does not paint but pours, and in the act of pouring he studies the qualities of the liquid, its ability to spread and the process of gradual drying, a way of exploring the relationships between space, matter and time. In some cases, the layers of color, flowing over one another, partially overlap and “erase” each other by creating precise and elegant forms that demonstrate Splitt's ability to control color and matter.

Jos van Merendonk

Almost all of Jos van Merendonk's paintings are derived from three combined motifs: a zigzag, an oval shape and a superimposed Z. In essence, they form the basis for everything the artist creates. Van Merendonk works in only one distinct color: chromium oxide green, called “Cologne Bridge Green” in Germany, a pigment considered most stable and neutral. His paintings are always a square format that varies in size: 40 × 40 cm, 60 × 60 cm, 100 × 100 cm or 200 × 200 cm. With a concept of three motifs and one color in mind, the viewer discerns order in an apparent chaos.