Juul Kraijer    Aug 30 - Oct 18, 2008

On the occasion of the Cologne Gallery Day on August 30, 2008 Kewenig Galerie presents recent works by the Dutch artist Juul Kraijer (born 1970, lives and works Rotterdam). The exhibition is supported by the Dutch consulate general.
Juul Kraijer's charcoal drawings present in old master's manner female figures in dreamlike poses. Enwinded by finely composed rootage, covered by mystically reflecting waterdrops and twisted with other bodies their nudeness is pure, seems even androgynous. The body seems to be a projection screen for visionary phenomenons of nature, which are presented without any additional accessory parts such as background. It is always only the body and merging nature or figure. Artistically composed lighting effects give each work its very own aura. Poses, gestures and facial expressions of the figures seem frozen, express quietness and contemplativeness. Glowy foliage or a clew of snakes surrounds the figures and faces and brings movement into their meditative expression that tells of an incubus, bursting out of their quietness in a most fascinating way.
Also Kraijer's at Kewenig Galerie exhibited bronze sculptures express the complexity of multi-layered emotions and moods. Douzens of ears frame a head like an ornated curled hairstyle. Little bald heads with open mouthes entwine a similar big head with an immersed expression of its face. Hydra, with whom Juul Kraijer once has compared her work is nothing against this multitude of sprouting heads. Her oeuvre is presented in numerous faces, all of them arosen by the same body and growing in transforming shapes.
In the gallery's cellar topical video works by Juul Kraijer got shown. "Inner Eye" is the title of one of the silent loops and via the eye of the female main figure, of whom we see nothing than it, the artists leads us into a cosmos of quiet impressions of nature between meditation and traces of transience. Also mainly focussed on their eyes photographies also being presented at Kewenig Galerie show young asian women, whose facial features seem very clear but also blank.
For further information, reproducable images or request for interviews please contact: info@kewenig.com or 0049-221-964 9050. Opening hours of the gallery are Monday thru Friday between 10 am and 6 pm and Saturday between 10 am and 2 pm.