Helene Appel's Trompe l'Œil Paintings Deceive and Delight at James Cohan Gallery
Helene Appel's exhibition titled 'Washing' took place at the James Cohan Gallery in New York City from June 22 to July 27, 2018. The artist, originally from Karlsruhe and now based in Berlin, presented a series of minimalist yet hyperrealistic paintings. Among her works, 'Blue Net' (2018), measuring nearly 13 feet across, creates an optical illusion of mesh, crafted solely with acrylic and oils. Other pieces include themes of soapy puddles and sandy shores, such as the diminutive 'Shell Pasta' (2017). Appel's precise artistry draws parallels to renowned figures like Brice Marden and Tauba Auerbach. Located at 291 Grand Street, the exhibition received acclaim for its exploration of realism versus abstraction, as noted by David Cohen on artcritical.com.
Key facts
- Helene Appel's solo show 'Washing' at James Cohan Gallery ran from June 22 to July 27, 2018.
- The exhibition featured trompe l'œil paintings, including 'Blue Net' (2018), a large work that deceives viewers into seeing actual mesh.
- Appel was born in Karlsruhe in 1976, studied in Hamburg and London, and is based in Berlin.
- Works depicted motifs like puddles, beaches, shells, litter, and pasta, all at lifelike scales.
- The artist used acrylic, oils, and watercolor to create shadows and enhance realism.
- A tiny canvas, 'Shell Pasta' (2017), measured three by one and a half inches.
- The show was located at 291 Grand Street at Eldridge Street in New York City.
- Critical comparisons were made to artists Brice Marden, Catherine Murphy, Alexi Worth, Glenn Brown, and Tauba Auerbach.
Entities
Artists
- Helene Appel
- Brice Marden
- Catherine Murphy
- Alexi Worth
- Glenn Brown
- Tauba Auerbach
- Daniel Spoerri
- Zeuxis
- David Cohen
Institutions
- James Cohan Gallery
- artcritical.com
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Berlin
- Germany
- Karlsruhe
- Hamburg
- London
- United Kingdom