Supports the story of friendship between gallery owner Mikael Andersen and multidisciplinary artist Gunter Forge The legacy of modernitya sale exhibition on display at Philips’ London headquarters until September 7, as well as their shared tribute to renowned Danish sculptor Sonia Verlöf-Mancoba.
But let’s pause for those who may not be familiar with Forge’s work, which often draws inspiration from Blinky Palermo and Ernst Wilhelm Ney, and at times reminds us of Ellsworth Kelly, Mark Rothko, and Cy Twombly. The German artist was prolific and his extensive work included not only paintings on canvas and sheet metal, but also large-scale sculpture and photography.
“I like working in different media at the same time,” he told art historian Dorothea Dietrich in a 1989 interview. Print Collector’s Newsletter. “One must give oneself the opportunity to evolve and not allow anything to wither away.”
Indeed, throughout his career Forge moved from monochrome painting to mural installations to architectural photography and sculpture before returning to painting with explorations of new styles and materials, and the resulting artworks, in all their diversity, are exhibited at the Green Naftali Gallery, Almen. Rich Gallery and Max Hetzler Gallery in Berlin, and in numerous museums, including the Stedelijk Museum, Kunstmuseum Basel, Dallas Museum of Art and the Deutsche Guggenheim. His pieces are in the permanent collections of institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Kunstmuseum Bonn.
Forge’s association with Andersen can be traced back to Phoebe Strand, Denmark, and the workspace the latter created in 2000 to provide an environment of unlimited artistic freedom.
“I am fortunate to have had the opportunity in my life to meet and collaborate with many artists in my studio designed by Henning Larsen,” said Andersen. observer in the current situation. “There, Gunther Forge and I developed a close bond, spending many summers together.”
As the two got to know each other well, Andersen introduced Forge to the work of the leading Danish sculptor Sonia Verlöf Mancoba.
“My unwavering admiration for Forge’s work is matched by our shared appreciation for Sonia Ferlov-Mancoba, an artist who unfortunately remains under-recognized,” Anderson said. “She was an extraordinary sculptor, a contemporary of Max Ernst and Alberto Giacometti, and her sculptures are utterly unique and remarkable, taking references from many cultures.”
Forge, who passed away in 2013, became as much a fan of her work as Anderson, so when Anderson thought of ways he could bring awareness to and celebrate Verlov Mancoba’s work, it was not surprising that he came up with the idea of a posthumous collaboration with his friend. .
“For my 50th birthday, I put on an exhibition of Forge’s work in my gallery, and it was as if spring had filled the space,” Anderson said. mancopa.”
Results, The legacy of modernityIt seems natural, according to the gallery owner, who is working with award-winning Japanese architect Tadao Ando on designs for the permanent pavilion dedicated to Ferlov’s mancopa, which will be overseen by the Bornholms Kunstmuseum. On display at Phillips’ London headquarters are decade-old Forge paintings, works on paper, monotypes, ceramics, sculptures and photographs that explore the artist’s role as a symbol of abstract art, alongside a selection of Ferlov Mancoba’s sculptures.
“I’m really excited to give her the platform she deserves, and I think Forge would agree,” Anderson added.
