Daniel Sinsel
28 January – 14 March 2011
64 Chisenhale Road
London E3 5QZ
+44 (0) 20 8981 4518
mail [at] chisenhale.org.uk
While the depiction of the male form and sexual symbols were frequently deployed in Sinsel’s earlier work, these newer works mark a shift in focus towards the architectural spaces previously used to frame these figures. Minimal architectural forms such as windows (with views), grids and columns are established as recurrent motifs and Sinsel traces a folding out of planes and surfaces from the paintings to the three dimensional works. Shifting between illusory perspective and embellished surfaces, the new paintings become both sculptural and fetish objects, using established pictorial devices to reveal a form of dormant eroticism in the materials themselves.
In his precise compositions the artist makes use of a wide variety of materials and craft techniques, from fabric weaving to metalworking. Linen is often present as an explicit material component rather than as support for the painted image, complicating the function of the trompe l’oeil effects employed by Sinsel. As much as these mediums are chosen for their material characteristics, Sinsel is also interested in making evident the labour required to manipulate them. The intricate works become an index of the time invested in their making, the result of mental and meditative activity, rather than an emphasis on physical exertion or virtuosic ability.
Sinsel has spoken of living at the end of time and the associated questions this raises of ‘over production’ and entropy frame his key concerns of how value and meaning can be ascribed today. Sinsel’s work is intimate and revels in the pleasure of looking, consistently returning to a sense of the profane, which in these new works is somehow domesticated and tempered with gentle humour.
A series of talks and events accompanies the exhibition. Sinsel has also produced a new limited edition print on the occasion of his exhibition which is available to buy from Chisenhale Gallery or via the website.
Daniel Sinsel (b. 1976, Germany) is based in London. Recent solo exhibitions include Galerie Micky Schubert, Berlin and Sadie Coles HQ, London (both 2009). Recent group exhibitions include ‘Jerwood Contemporary Painters’, Jerwood Space, London; ‘The Concrete Show’ Galleria Franco Noero, Turin; ‘Matthew Brannon, Matthew Cerletty and Daniel Sinsel’, Office Baroque, Antwerp (all 2010); ‘Nus, Nudes’ Galeria Fortes Vilaca, Sao Paulo (2009) and ‘Beck’s Futures 2006′, ICA, London.
TALKS & EVENTS
Saturday 5 February, 2pm
Jennifer Higgie, critic and co-editor of frieze, in conversation with Daniel Sinsel.
Thursday 3 March, 7pm
Nicholas Cullinan, Curator of International Modern Art at Tate Modern, leads a tour of the exhibiton.
This event is followed by a reception in the studio to celebrate the launch of a new monograph, Daniel Sinsel, produced by Mousse Publishing in association with Sadie Coles HQ, London and with support from The Breeder, Athens; Office Baroque, Antwerp; and Galerie Micky Schubert, Berlin.
Chisenhale Exhibitions Partner 2010: Outset Contemporary Art Fund
Daniel Sinsel’s exhibition is kindly supported by Sadie Coles HQ.
Chisenhale Gallery is funded by Arts Council England and is a registered charity no. 1026175
For more information please contact mail@chisenhale.org.uk or +44 20 8981 4518
*Image above:
Courtesy of Nate & Nancy Kacew and Sadie Coles HQ.
