Sevil Dolmacı Dubai is delighted to present the solo exhibition "Sign of the Times" by internationally renowned German artist Robert Janitz from February 27 to April 30, 2024. The exhibition consists of selected works created by the artist in his studio in Mexico and during his stay in Istanbul as part of the Sevil Dolmacı Art Residency, skillfully reflecting the rich cultural interaction between East and West.
Taking its title from the iconic Prince song, "Sign of the Times" opens the doors to the world of Robert Janitz, whose abstract paintings of various sizes on linen canvas using a unique mixture of wax, flour and oil aim to convey the sense of movement and the moment of transition between movement and stability.
The collection of paintings presented in this exhibition explores the deep semiotic connections between the birth of human existence, its origins and humanity's inherent urge to create an image of reality through the act of writing. Reluctant to write about his own art, Janitz creates his own style of writing through his paintings. His use of diagonal lines evokes a sense of dynamism and movement. The lines can be described as neither vertical nor horizontal, in a delicate state of imbalance between movement and stability. They evoke a fascinating tension as they seem to be constantly on the verge of moving, inviting the viewer to examine the boundaries between creation, perception and the evolutionary narrative of reality.
The artist subtly alters the architecture of the exhibition by adding a large sculptural element, resulting in the viewer being confronted with a white wall that freely slopes in the center of the space. This randomly inclined plane alters the physical state of the entire space, inducing a slight dizziness and connecting with the diagonal lines in the paintings.
The artist subtly modified the exhibition architecture in adding a large sculptural element: a free leaning white wall in the middle of the space. This casual tilted plane changes the physical situation of the entire space, triggers mild vertigo and furthermore connects to the diagonal line in the paintings.
Janitz creates striking paintings that skillfully convey personal memories and experiences, referencing the real world and the rich tapestry of art history. Drawing inspiration from a wide range of themes, from the history of portraiture to the beauty and complexity of everyday gestures and scenes, she creates semi-abstract and abstract visual narratives. She draws inspiration from her own life, from the evocative effects of the textures and surfaces around her, to the understated yet sensory appeal of ordinary landscapes, such as the soft movement of butter on bread or the repetitive motion of wiping windows. Positioning the celebration of painting as the backbone of his process, Janitz revels in the simplicity of the materials he chooses. She uses cheap brushes from hardware stores, which allows her work to "just stay painted". Janitz's approach is one of unfiltered directness, evidenced by the tactile and rich use of pigment, the subtle harmony of his color palettes and the deliberate raw edges of his canvases. His deliberate rejection of ostentatious pictorialism in favor of raw authenticity invites the viewer into a space where the act of painting becomes a conduit for deeper meaning and exploration.
Robert Janitz's solo exhibition "Sign of the Times" can be visited at Sevil Dolmacı Dubai in Dubai Design District from February 27 to April 30, 2024.
About Robert Janitz:
Robert Janitz (b. 1962, Alsfeld, Germany) lives and works in Mexico City and New York. He is known for his large-scale abstract paintings using wax, flour and oil on a monochromatic background.
He studied Ethnology, Comparative Religions, Indianology and Art History at Philipps Universität Marburg in Germany. She holds a master's degree in Sanskrit. She also studied papermaking under the artist Katharina Eitel in Marburg from 1991 to 1992.
Janitz’in son kişisel sergileri şu şekildedir: Sphinx (2023), KÖNIG, Berlin, Carmina Burrata (2022), San Carlo Cremona, Robert Janitz (2022),Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli, Mexico Şehri, El Secreto del Mundo (2022), Saenger Galería, Meksika Şehri, Library of A Dream (2021), Kanada, New York, Best of All Worlds (2021) [Küratör:Gianni Jetzer], Casa Gilardi, Meksika, The Labyrinth (2021), Sevil Dolmaci Gallery, Istanbul, <3 ist ein Tippfehler (2020), KÖNIG, Berlin ve Change in Paradise (2019), KÖNIG, London. Janitz’in çalışmaları yakın zamanda gerçekleşen çok sayıda önemli grup sergisinde yer aldı.Bunlardan bazıları; Chapter Four, Amorepacific Museum of Art, Seoul (2023), Ceramica Suro, MAZ Museo Guadalajara, Meksika (2021-22), Frozen Gesture (2019), Kunstmuseum Winterthur, İsviçre, the Emily Harvey Foundation, New York, the Magazzino d’Arte Moderna, Roma, the Collezione Maramotti, Reggio Emilia, Italya ve Londra, Paris, Buenos Aires ve Miami gibi daha nice şehirler.
About Sevil Dolmaci Dubai:
Sevil Dolmacı Dubai opened its doors on November 6, 2023 in the heart of Dubai Design District. Founded by art historian Sevil Dolmaci, the gallery was born out of a desire to create a sophisticated and rich art scene for Dubai's diverse and dynamic population, as well as to provide unparalleled access to the international art market. Sevil Dolmacı Dubai continues its mission to make a significant contribution to Dubai's vibrant art scene with an exciting program featuring exhibitions by internationally renowned artists, many of whom have left a lasting mark on world art history.
