Giving new meaning to old themes may be a great way to continue the classics. American artist Jonathan Edelhuber recently held his first solo exhibition in Hong Kong titled “Something Old, Something New” at Over the Influence, presenting a series of still life paintings and sculptures that combine personal iconic creative elements with responses to art history.
Jonathan Edelhuber is engaged in mixed media creation, blending elements of Picasso and Matisse’s modernist themes in his paintings, sketches, and sculptures, infused with a lot of popular interests from comics and cartoons.
右：《Still Life with Keith Haring Sculpture on Art Books》，2022，布面丙烯，111.8×101.6cm
Jonathan Edelhuber
The focus of this exhibition is to reinterpret some classic themes in art history, from the past to the present. Edelhuber blends the content of contemporary artists with classic artists such as Pablo Picasso and Cy Twombly, placing some tired-looking people or animated characters on famous art books, creating a quirky and whimsical scene.
Edelhuber’s painting and sculpture practice has always been based on classic art history and contemporary artists who inspire him. For this exhibition, the artist explores his interests and wisdom by depicting the artists, objects, and literary works he chooses. In addition, Edelhuber’s distinctive painting style is also evident in the works of this exhibition, including the well-known “Isolated Skull” series or colorful faces, successfully giving the works personal meaning.
右：《Still Life with Matisse Bronze on Art Books》2022，布面丙烯，198.1×167.6cm
Jonathan Edelhuber
Jonathan Edelhuber
Jonathan Edelhuber
Edelhuber cleverly arranges the combination elements of the work, including artists with great geographical and stylistic differences. From artists like Stanley Whitney who focus on color fields, to Tilo Baumgärtel’s dramatic images and social realism works, to Lee Lozano’s exploration of body and gender issues, and Katherine Bernhardt’s themes of consumption and popular culture, behind the seemingly visually dominant works, there are actually many personal reflections of the artists on society, art, and history.
“Jonathan Edelhuber: Something Old, Something New”
Date: From now until August 27, 2022 (Closed on Mondays)
Time: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Location: Over the Influence, 159 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, Ground to 1st Floor
Image source and learn more: Over the Influence
