Peter Böhnisch
Arbeiten auf Papier
06.07. – 31.08.2008

The Kunstverein Bremerhaven presents works by artist Peter Böhnisch. Peter Böhnisch, born in 1977, studied at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe from 1999 to 2005 under Anselm Reyle and Andreas Slominski, with whom he was also a master student. After completing his studies, he held solo exhibitions and participated in group exhibitions in Karlsruhe and Berlin. Our exhibition is the artist’s first presentation in northern Germany.

Peter Böhnisch creates delicate, small-format works on paper, mostly in pastel colors, depicting shadowy figures or specific situations. The subjects depicted are just as appealing and charismatic as the materiality of the paint application and the composition of different materials (watercolor, pastel chalk, etc.) themselves. Some parts of the image overlap, while others remain almost empty. Roughly hatched areas of the image lie next to transparent ones. When, in some places, the watercolor-soaked paper is painted over again with thick layers of pastel chalk or charcoal, this is not done out of an aggressive desire to destroy, but rather to draw attention once again to the delicacy and fragility of the material and what is depicted.

Filled with a slight melancholy or longing, lost in thought or consciously pausing, but also fleeing and restless, these figures appear to have been captured and observed by the artist in precisely such moments. What exactly preoccupies them, where they are going, or who they are remains hidden from the viewer. One can only guess at their facial features, postures, or location. They seem isolated from their environment and yet shaped and influenced by it.

It is precisely in this suggestion that the special quality of Peter Böhnisch’s work lies. He leaves the viewer of his works enough space for their own associations and thoughts, yet still manages to convey essential feelings and questions about the state of being.

Curated by Jürgen Wesseler.