ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Gaylen Gerber's Standardized Objects at Galerie Emanuel Layr Rome

exhibition · 2026-05-05

Gaylen Gerber (McAllen, 1955) covers African and Chinese statuettes, Japanese votive objects, and even a stone from the Hotel Ambassador with white or gray oil paint, stripping them of historical identity. His process of standardization, described by Niccolò Lucarelli, transforms ancient artifacts into design-like objects, reflecting on contemporary society's loss of sacredness and its drift between violence and indifference. The exhibition took place at Galerie Emanuel Layr in Rome.

Key facts

  • Gaylen Gerber was born in McAllen, Texas in 1955.
  • He applies white or gray oil paint to objects such as African and Chinese statuettes, Japanese votive objects, and a stone from the Hotel Ambassador.
  • The process standardizes and modernizes the objects, erasing their original identity and values.
  • The work critiques contemporary society's decadence and loss of the sacred.
  • The exhibition was held at Galerie Emanuel Layr in Rome.
  • The article was written by Niccolò Lucarelli.
  • The article was published on Artribune.
  • The exhibition took place in 2017.

Entities

Artists

  • Gaylen Gerber
  • Niccolò Lucarelli

Institutions

  • Galerie Emanuel Layr
  • Artribune

Locations

  • McAllen
  • Texas
  • Rome
  • Italy

Sources