COMING AROUND AGAIN

Installation view

Walter Dahn, the former and at that time youngest and last “Meisterschüler” of Joseph Beuys, earned international recognition in the early 80’s as one of the main members of the "Mülheimer Freiheit."
In his most recent work he has developed an innovative iconography, which is equally significant and subtle. Dahn researches and collects images and sentences, a selection of which he lays out and traces in his pictures. Through this process, the spectator is invited on an imaginary, associative journey, led by strongly signifying images, which originate from many different sources. His print and mixed media works effortlessly cross different genres. Topics such as scientific plant studies, various cultural religious iconographies, ethnological snapshots and images of popular culture come together in a unique, charming and unpretentious manner.

Installation view

1) 2)

3) 4)

1) Noch ein Cover für W. O., 2005, Tempera auf Leinen, 48,5 x 58 cm
2) Zum Problem der Malerei II, 2004, Tempera auf Collage und Papier, 44 x 51 cm (framed)
3) Anne Frank wehrt sich (Version 3), 2004, Acryl und Tempera auf Leinwand,
42 x 42,5 cm (gerahmt)
4) „L’Enfant sauvage“, 2004 Leinwand, Collage, Tempera, 38,5 x 46 cm (framed)

The style of each print varies from rough sketches or vague silhouettes to fine linear patterns. The combination of these prints with handwritten comments, graphical text figures or graffiti elements culminates in a unique artistic language, which is typical of Dahn’s actual work.

The artist does not follow a strict grammar of images; sometimes he uses highly expressive gestures, but treats the elements of each image equally. This might remind the viewer of the artistic themes in pop art. In fact, the use of strong colors in Dahn's pictures refers often to pop culture. However, the actual meaning only becomes apparent in the combination of various different layers.

Dahn approaches his motives with a certain humbleness, reminiscent of a collector who presents his image sources in a reverent manner. He understands himself as a researcher of significant moments and traces of our lives in the midst of culture and nature.

His work is also represented by Sprüth Magers Cologne.

Walter Dahn lives and works in Cologne/Germany.
Professorship at Art Academy in Braunschweig/DE.

Catalogue: Walter Dahn, 'can you please crawl out your Window', with a text by Catrin Lorch.

Installation view