Thomas Eggerer

'Joe’s Place' forms part of a body of work, which present scenes of protest. The figures hold signs and wave flags, though their gestures appear directed toward an undefined viewer. The flags billow freely, suggesting movement and energy, while the figures beneath appear static, their limbs awkwardly positioned as if loosely attached. Also here the focus shifts from individual figures to the orchestrated arrangement of movements, while the groupings and subtle variations suggest underlying bonds of community and collective presence. This approach not only adds to the visual complexity of Eggerer's paintings, but also reflects his interest in the fragmented nature of contemporary social experiences.

The figurative elements in Eggerer's paintings are never fully described by the use of color, space, form, or light. However, they do not become purely abstract either. Some elements – logos, objects, or familiar imagery – offer a sense of concrete reality, grounding the viewer in the identifiable. Yet, this familiarity is disrupted by the presence of something that remains obscured. Eggerer avoids overly realistic effects or any strong narrative illusions. It’s akin to encountering doors that cannot be opened; pathways are suggested, but never fully revealed. The result is a series of compositions that suggest a world more intuitive and painterly than rigidly logical or constructed. As Helmut Draxler has stated, "instead of individual imprints and expressionist effects, this artistic approach always thematizes either people in groups, or social spaces, and on a formal level this brings the conventions of painting itself into play".