“People often attribute the surreal to my pictures, however, that is not quite true. In fact, in my work I pursue basic questions, archetypal forms, and structures and thus questions that are relevant for science, philosophy, theology, or spirituality.”(Benedikt Hipp)

Benedikt Hipp’s (1977 in München, Germany) pictures are real panel paintings, painted with oil on wood and with a varnished surface, that combine figural-objective and geometric-abstract elements. The initial familiarity that arises at fist view of the pictures gets disrupted by the black background that reveals a jarring emptiness. Like on a stage the depicted objects and figures cannot be located in a tangible space, but are staged in such a way that an additional mystic or metaphysical layer of the painting becomes apparent. Hipp’s model predecessor is, on the one hand, the Early Renaissance painter Fra Angelico and, on the other hand, the unclassifiable still life painter Giogio Morandi, who died in 1964.

For Kunstpalais Benedikt Hipp will create his very own exhibition architecture in the show rooms. These modules create the stage for his ambiguous imagery and sculptures.

Exhibitions (selection)

2012 Kunstverein Hannover
2011 Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, Musée d’Art Contemporain de Bordeaux
2010 Bielefelder Kunstverein
2009 Lothringer 13, Munich / Deutsche Bundesbanksammlung, Frankfurt
2007 Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn

Trailer for the exhibition 

Radio report by Unimax 

Tagträumer & Nachteulen - Performance Workshop