Martin Wöhrl "blanko" 18 June - 26 July, 2008 Opening: Wednesday, 18 June, 7 - 9 pm
Monika Sprüth and Philomene Magers are delighted to present Martin Wöhrl's third solo exhibition at Sprüth Magers Projekte. For this show entitled "blanko" (= blank, plain, white) Wöhrl has put together several new sculptures and wallpieces.
A visit to a dripstone cave in the area of Fraenkische Schweiz in the south of Germany, inspired the artist to make a group of sculptures entitled PAPA BIFI. The resulting works are phallic stalagmites on vintage tables. In addition to this work, Wöhrl is showing large scale wall based pieces, such as PALOMA, a combined relief made out of several found pieces of wood in four different shades of whites and off-whites, referencing the white peace dove.
Wöhrl's recent work deals with domestic and local traditions in an impassionate yet critical way. The work DER HELLE BOCK (The Pale Billy Goat) references the trade mark animal of the traditional Munich beer Augustiner Maibock. Having recreated the animal in an overpowering scale, Wöhrl seems to make fun of local patriotism and narrow minded group mentality. At the same time however, it speaks of his interest in heraldry and traditional imagery. Martin Wöhrl's work has recently been presented in the United States at Spencer Brownstone Gallery, New York, and in Germany at Villa Concordia, Bamberg. He has exhibited in numerous curated group shows, such as at the Centre Cultural, Andratx, Spain.
