Kati Heck's 'The Brodo' Blends Painting and Sculpture at Tim Van Laere Gallery in Rome

Kati Heck's solo show, 'The Brodo,' at Galleria Tim Van Laere in Rome delves into the distinction between painting and conceptual art. The Düsseldorf-born German artist (1979) merges paintings with sculptures, striking a balance between irony, realism, and absurdity. Drawing inspiration from 15th-century Flemish art and German figurative styles, the exhibition links Otto Dix to Neo Rauch, while also alluding to Sigmar Polke and Marcel Broodthaers. The term 'brodo,' first introduced in 'Rezept Manifest' (2025), represents the components of life. Among the six prominent paintings is 'The brodo – Zutaten' (2025), which reinterprets Hans Memling's 'Concert of Angels' (1480). Other pieces include 'Zutat I' (2025), 'Zutat II – Taube' (2025), 'Zutat III – Brücke' (2025), and 'Zutat IV – Mantel' (2025), along with three sculptures, notably 'Bindemittel II' (2025). The exhibition is curated by Ludovico Pratesi.