PHILIPP FÜRHOFER

TEXT

The paintings by Philipp Fuerhofer suggest a virtuous ambition, as the artist implements a range of techniques by working layers of impasto over transparent materials. At times they appear as three-dimensional objects flushed with light, while at other times they are incorporated into the surrounding space, blurring preconceived notions of what a painting is. This use of light sometimes creates a somewhat noirish atmosphere, shining from the inside to the outside, alienating color and creating fascinating formal relationships.

Fürhofer's choice of subject matter shifts between worldly occurrences to his own personal experiences. A thin line is drawn between figuration and abstraction, but transcending with playful ease, such as when crowds of people begin to diminish into glittering sparks or ray-beams of light. Narrative situations begin to merge into organic structures, evoking radio active or cosmic events, reminiscent of scientific or technological reactions.

BIOGRAPHY

born 1982 in Augsburg, Germany 2002 - 2007 _Studies at UDK Berlin with Prof. Hans Jürgen Diehl _Assistant for stage design with Prof. Reinhard von der Thannen at the Opera in Zurich and Komische Oper Berlin (directed by Hans Neuenfels, Grischa Asagaroff) lives and works in Berlin, Germany SOLO SHOWS 2011 _Stage design for Peter Tschaikowski´s opera "Eugen Onegin" at Nederlandse Opera, Amsterdam, NL. Director: Stefan Herheim. Premiere: June, 14th. 2010 _Window Project, Grantpirrie Gallery, Sydney, Australia (june) 2009 _Life Is Out There, curated by Luca Bradamante and Giulia Sargiacomo, NotFair Gallery and Accademia Brera, Milano, Italy _Art Forum Berlin, Sektor Focus, Galerie Lena Brüning, Berlin, Germany _Korrespondenz, with Ina Bierstedt, Hier Projekt, Berlin _Abschlußausstellung des Stipendiums mit Martin Mohr, Karl-Hofer-Gesellschaft/Tessin, Art and Spirit, Tessin, Switzerland 2008 _Transference, Galerie Lena Brüning, Berlin, Germany _Exhibition of the master students, UdK, Berlin, Germany _Herzog Blaubarts Burg, Opera with an installation by Philipp Fürhofer at Galerie Aedes East, Pfefferberg, Berlin, Germany 2007 _HerZeigen, Galerie Lena Brüning, Berlin, Germany 2004 _Roof project at „August“, Augsburg, Germany GROUP SHOWS (SELECTION) 2010 _Festival des Beaux Arts, Pinakothek der Moderne/Galerie Sabine Knust, München (May) _Ich weiß, was Du nicht siehst, Kunstraum Kreuzberg/Bethanien, Berlin (March) 2009 _Werkschau 1, kunst:raum Syltquelle, Sylt, Germany _Exotica, Forgotten Bar Project, Berlin, Germany _Stipendiatenausstellung der Karl-Hofer-Gesellschaft/Interroll, Locarno, Switzerland _Tape Modern 9, curated by Amir Fattal, Tape Club, Berlin, Germany _Künstler der Galerie 2, Galerie Lena Brüning, Berlin, Germany 2008 _wasistdas?, curated by the Sperlings, Paris, France _Auktion, Aachener Kunstverein, Aachen, Germany 2007 _variable dimensions, WilmerHale, Berlin, Germany _Auktion, Neuer Aachener Kunstverein, Aachen, Germany _Papierarbeiten, Galerie Lena Brüning, Berlin, Germany _Kunstprojekt Machnower Straße, Berlin, Germany 2006 _P1, Berlin, Germany _Außer Haus, Berlin, Germany 2005 _Seltsam, Augsburg, Germany 2004 _Kanzlei Jahn, Berlin, Germany PRICES AND AWARDS 2009 _Karl-Hofer-Gesellschaft/Tessin, Art and Spirit, Tessin, Switzerland _Erwine-Steinblum-Residency at kunst:raum Sylt, Germany, and jozi:artlab, Johannesburg, South Africa BIBLIOGRAPHY 2009 _Matthias Ziegler: "Philipp Fürhofer. Berlin", at Vogue Uomo, november 2009. 2008 _Thea Herold: "Glattes Pflaster. Philipp Fürhofers Spiel mit den Spiegeln in der Galerie Lena Brüning", in: Berliner Zeitung, No.305, December 30, 2008, p. 21. _Yvonne Gebauer: "Die sterblichen Stellen. Notizen zu den Arbeiten von Philipp Fürhofer", text in the catalogue "Transference". _Anna Mecugni: "Philipp Fürhofer", text in the catalogue "Transference".