group show ...

The painter of stark, often provocative pictures was interviewed by Andreas Maeckler.
The result is exciting to read from beginning to end.
Helnwein expresses himself in an outspoken and direct manner, without letting himself be drawn into profound theories.
It is interesting to note that he confesses not to be able to say why he paints a picture.
"I have never met an artist who thinks about this while he is working. And whenever he does comment about this, he must be lying."
(Münchner Merkur, June 4. 1992) ...

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Vous ne pourrez rien montrer à quelqu’un qu’il n’ait déjà vu, autre part, vous ne pourrez rien lui dire non plus qu’il ne vît déjà.
C’est la fonction de l’artiste que de provoquer l’expérience de la surprise d’indentifier: de montrer au spectateur qu’il sait sans savoir qu’il sait. Helnwein est un maître en l’art de la surprise d’identifier. ...