Charline von Heyl

Neither entirely abstract nor representational, Charline von Heyl’s densely coloured yet seemingly transparent compositions are steeped in a process of referencing and layering. Something akin to a metaphoric battle unfolds on these surfaces, where the figural goes head-to-head with the history of abstraction. Her prints are starkly graphic and full of distilled clarity that can be seen as a nod to the German Pre-War artists who brought together graphic design and painting in one medium by strictly limiting their palette to near primary colors (Anni Albers, Hanna Hoch, Kurt Schwitters et al.).

These works on paper invite a detailed visual exploration, following the interlocked biomorphic shapes and the black silhouetting that is a signature of her work. Von Heyl’s unique, spontaneous rhythm steers clear of expressionism or dramatic themes, instead constructing compositions that are almost like still-lives. These visually rich works on paper retain a sense of being meticulously constructed, while also being abstractly open-ended.