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Julian Schnabel’s new paintings in Berlin

I love Julian Schnabel’s tenacious exploration of painting’s parameters, but I’ve always wrestled with his grandiose sentimentality and unselfconsciously earnest approach that recalls the old-fashioned bravado of earlier generations, particularly the Abstract Expressionists and German postwar painters. In his new paintings, on display at Contemporary Fine Arts in Berlin through July 28, Schnabel uses digitally printed photographs on polyester as a starting point, then overpaints with resin, oil, gesso and ink. For Schnabel, the images–enlarged snapshots of what look like history paintings, portraits, Indian deities, and more–bring a sense of time, place and narrative to his meandering, abstract materiality. Since he made “Basquiat” in 1996, his films (I’m a big fan) have overshadowed the paintings, but these jpegs of his new work look intriguing, as if he’s having some fun.

Julian Schnabel, Ohne Titel/ untitled (BEZ), 2012, oil, gesso on polyester,131.89 x 91.73 inches.
 Julian Schnabel, Fountain of Youth, 2012, oil on polyester, 105.91 x 257.87 inches.

Julian Schnabel, Good Friday, 2012, oil on polyester, 129.92 x 142.13 inches.   
Julian Schnabel, Crazy Town, 2012, oil, resin on polyester, 131.89 x 91.73 inches.
 Julian Schnabel,Ohne Titel / untitled (Capri Painting), 2011, oil, ink on polyester, 109.84 x 165.75 inches.

 Julian Schabel, Ohne Titel/ untitled (BEZ), 2011, oil on polyester, 31.89 x 91.73inches. 

Julian Schnabel, The Unknown Painter and The Muse He Will Never Meet, 2011, oil on polyester, 
114.17 x 135.83 inches.

Julian Schnabel, Ohne Titel/ untitled, 2011, oil on polyester, 104.72 x 185.83 inches.

Julian Schnabel: Deus Ex Machina,” Contemporary Fine Arts, Berlin, Germany. Through July 28, 2012. The exhibition is accompanied by a 55-page color catalogue with an introduction by Robert Fleck.

Related posts:
 Julian Schnabel nominated for Gucci filmmaking award
Fathoming the depths of Schnabelia
Yau on Schnabel: Pedestrian at best
Rave reviews for Schnabel’s new film in which a paralysed man dictates a memoir with his eyebal

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One Comment

  1. Step one…Take an old calendar from an Indian street.
    Step two…give it to your kids who are not matured upto their age. They will paint over it, abuse it or even pee on it.
    Step three… publish it by adding a title.
    Step four….sell it to a brainless rich idiot
    Step five….galleries and the press will take care of it.

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