Stephan Balkenhol

Born 1957 in Fritzlar, Germany
Lives and works in Berlin, Germany

Stephan Balkenhol is one of the most important contemporary sculptors born in West Germany, and  best known for his representational works carved out of wood. While attending the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Hamburg from 1976 until 1982, he studied closely with Ulrich Rückreim (German, b.1938). Balkenhol’s totem-like sculptures, which are reminiscent of Folk Art and recall medieval carving techniques, expand the traditional role of the statue by featuring everyday people rather than celebrated historical figures. Balkenhol uses a variety of wood, including poplar and Douglas fir, and crafts his works out of single blocks of wood using hammers, power saws, and chisels. The sculptures, often representing men, women,  and  animals with serene, expressionless faces, have been interpreted as an exploration of the relationship between the figures themselves and the spaces or locations they occupy. In the mid-1980s, Balkenhol began taking on commissions for outdoor works, and as part of a noteworthy display, he installed two of his sculptures on London’s River Thames by placing one on a buoy and another near Blackfriars Bridge. While some of Balkenhol’s early works were nudes, he began rendering them in plain clothing — most often white shirts and black pants or plain dresses — in order to avoid any unintended allegorical interpretations.

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Balkenhol's art has been exhibited at institutions around the world, including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy (2013), the Musée de Grenoble, Grenoble, France (2010), the Deichtorhallen, Hamburg, Germany (2008), the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, USA (2008), the Museo de Arte Contemporánea de Vigo, Vigo, Spain (2008), the MKM, Museum Küppersmühle für Moderne Kunst, Duisburg, Germany (2007), the Museum der Moderne, Salzburg, Austria (2007), the CEAAC, Strasbourg, France (2006), the Staatliche Kunsthalle, Baden-Baden, Germany (2006), the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Osaka, Japan (2005), the Museum der bildenden Künste Leipzig, Germany (2001), the European Foundation for Sculpture, Parque Tournay Solvay, Brussels, Belgium (1999), the Arts Club of Chicago, Chicago, USA (1998), the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal, Canada (1996), the Saatchi Collection, London, UK (1996) and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., USA (1995) among many other museums and galleries.

VIDEO | Stephan Balkenhol about his first solo show at ARNDT  Singapore

Stephan Balkenhol, Man black/white, 2016, Cedar wood, coloured, 240 × 42 × 70 cm, BALK0018 Stephan Balkenhol, Man black/white, 2016, Cedar wood, coloured, 240 × 42 × 70 cm, BALK0018
Jan 28, 2014

Solo exhibition with Stephan Balkenhol at ARNDT Singapore

Stephan Balkenhol about his first solo show at ANDT Singapore

Stephan Balkenhol, Installation shot, In front of ARNDT Singapore, Gillman Barracks, Right side: Man with white shirt and black trousers, 2013, Coloured bronze, 190 x 0 cm | 74.8 x 0 in, Number 1 from an edition of 3, # BALK0009 Stephan Balkenhol, Installation shot, In front of ARNDT Singapore, Gillman Barracks, Right side: Man with white shirt and black trousers, 2013, Coloured bronze, 190 x 0 cm | 74.8 x 0 in, Number 1 from an edition of 3, # BALK0009 Stephan Balkenhol, Installation shot, In front of ARNDT Singapore, Gillman Barracks, Man with white shirt and black trousers, 2013, Coloured bronze, 190 x 0 cm | 74.8 x 0 in, Number 1 from an edition of 3, # BALK0009 Stephan Balkenhol, Installation shot, In front of ARNDT Singapore, Gillman Barracks, Man with white shirt and black trousers, 2013, Coloured bronze, 190 x 0 cm | 74.8 x 0 in, Number 1 from an edition of 3, # BALK0009 Stephan Balkenhol, Installation shot, Left side: Mann mit brauner Lederjacke und blauer Hose (Man in brown leather jacket and blue trouser), 2013, Coloured wawa wood, 170 x 24 x 30 cm | 66.93 x 9.45 x 11.81 in, # BALK0002 Stephan Balkenhol, Installation shot, Left side: Mann mit brauner Lederjacke und blauer Hose (Man in brown leather jacket and blue trouser), 2013, Coloured wawa wood, 170 x 24 x 30 cm | 66.93 x 9.45 x 11.81 in, # BALK0002 Stephan Balkenhol, Installation shot, Figur „Mann mit fünf Amen“ (Figure ,Man with five arms’), 2013, Coloured bronze, 25 x 25 x 24 cm | 09.84 x 09.84 x 9.45 in, # BALK0013 Stephan Balkenhol, Installation shot, Figur „Mann mit fünf Amen“ (Figure ,Man with five arms’), 2013, Coloured bronze, 25 x 25 x 24 cm | 09.84 x 09.84 x 9.45 in, # BALK0013 Stephan Balkenhol, Man with white shirt and black trousers, 2013, Coloured bronze, 190 x 0 cm | 74.8 x 0 in Number 1 from an edition of 3, # BALK0009 Stephan Balkenhol, Man with white shirt and black trousers, 2013, Coloured bronze, 190 x 0 cm | 74.8 x 0 in Number 1 from an edition of 3, # BALK0009 Stephan Balkenhol, Little relief of a head, 2013, Coloured poplar, 40 x 30 x 4 cm | 15.75 x 11.81 x 1.57 in, # BALK0008 Stephan Balkenhol, Little relief of a head, 2013, Coloured poplar, 40 x 30 x 4 cm | 15.75 x 11.81 x 1.57 in, # BALK0008 Stephan Balkenhol, Man with white shirt and black trousers, 2013, Coloured lime wood, 130 x 40 x 22 cm | 51.18 x 15.75 x 8.66 in, # BALK0005 Stephan Balkenhol, Man with white shirt and black trousers, 2013, Coloured lime wood, 130 x 40 x 22 cm | 51.18 x 15.75 x 8.66 in, # BALK0005 Stephan Balkenhol, Woman in red dress and with red handbag, 2013, Coloured wawa wood, 168 x 24 x 30 cm | 66.14 x 9.45 x 11.81 in, # BALK0004 Stephan Balkenhol, Woman in red dress and with red handbag, 2013, Coloured wawa wood, 168 x 24 x 30 cm | 66.14 x 9.45 x 11.81 in, # BALK0004 Stephan Balkenhol, Woman in green loden coat, 2013, Coloured wawa wood, 168 x 24 x 24 cm | 66.14 x 9.45 x 9.45 in, # BALK0003 Stephan Balkenhol, Woman in green loden coat, 2013, Coloured wawa wood, 168 x 24 x 24 cm | 66.14 x 9.45 x 9.45 in, # BALK0003 Stephan Balkenhol, Männlicher und weiblicher Akt (Male and female nude), 2013, Coloured birch tree ply wood, Left panel: 150 x 100 x 3 cm | 59.06 x 39.37 x 1.18 in  Right panel: 150 x 150 x 3 cm | 59.06 x 59.06 x 1.18 in, # BALK0006 Stephan Balkenhol, Männlicher und weiblicher Akt (Male and female nude), 2013, Coloured birch tree ply wood, Left panel: 150 x 100 x 3 cm | 59.06 x 39.37 x 1.18 in Right panel: 150 x 150 x 3 cm | 59.06 x 59.06 x 1.18 in, # BALK0006
Studio Shot, Stephan Balkenhol, 2013 Studio Shot, Stephan Balkenhol, 2013

VIDEO | Stephan Balkenhol about his first solo show at ARNDT Singapore

ARNDT is delighted to announce a solo show with STEPHAN BALKENHOL in Singapore from 11 January to 23 February 2014.

Press Release               

Opening: 10 January 2014, 6pm to 9 pm
The artist will be present
6:30 pm Stephan Balkenhol in conversation with Ute Meta Bauer

Berlin/Singapore. Stephan Balkenhol is a prominent artist particularly known for his rough-hewn sculptures, each chiseled from a block of wood and then painted. He has been exhibiting his work for more than 30 years at various galleries and museums around the globe. Balkenhol’s first solo exhibition in Singapore will open on 10 January, 2014. ARNDT will present several of his latest sculptures and mural reliefs on display until 23 February, 2014.

Balkenhol places the focus of this exhibition on the human figure with an elephant head, which hails back to his group of works from the 1990s where he mixed humans and animals in a type of hybrid piece. The sculpture establishes a connection to the Hindu deity Ganesha. This deity stands for the perfect Hindu family, together with his mother Parvati and his father Shiva, the deity with multiple arms. “Ganesha and Shiva are archetypical representations that are also prevalent in Europe. They’re the pop stars of the deities,” remarks Balkenhol. The artist uses his elephant man as a paraphrase for the various reproductions of Ganesha as he draws himself nearer to a culture that is still foreign to him. The exhibition in Singapore has several sculptures and mural reliefs created by Balkenhol surrounding this one central figure.
In addition to larger solo exhibitions (the Deichtorhallen art center in Hamburg, 2008/09; Musée de Grenoble, 2010/11), Balkenhol’s work can increasingly be found in public spaces as well. His piece “Balancing Art” has been perched in front of the Axel-Springer building in Berlin since 2009, evoking memories of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Balkenhol designed the oversized male torso “Sempre più ...”, also in 2009, for the Forum Romanum in Rome, Italy. It was on display at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria, for the Salzburg Festival in 2011, and in 2012, in the courtyard of the Church St. Elisabeth in Kassel, Germany. The exhibition in Kassel took place at the same time as Documenta 13 and showed a sculpture that was integrated into the church tower and quickly became a permanent fixture in the city landscape. The Richard Wagner monument, which Balkenhol created for the city of Leipzig for the 200th anniversary of the German composer’s birthday in 2013, similarly became a mainstay in the city. The same year, the artist also presented his work at the German ambassador’s history-laden residence in the Palais Beauharnais in Paris.
Stephan Balkenhol was born in Fritzlar, Germany, in 1957. Since 1993 he has been a professor of sculpture at the State Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe. He lives and works between Kassel, Karlsruhe, Berlin, and Meisenthal, France.

Gillman Barracks
BLK 22 Lock Road #01-35
Singapore 108939
Tel. +65 67340775

Exhibitions

ART BASEL HONG KONG 2015 - March 15 - 17, 2015

ARNDT is pleased to announce its participation at Art Basel Hong Kong 2015, taking place from March 15 - 17. We are looking forward to welcoming you at our BOOTH Hall 3 C30.

Participating Artists: Jumaldi Alfi, Stephan Balkenhol, Jigger Cruz, Wim Delvoye, Gilbert & George, Yang Jiechang, Heinz Mack, Rudi Mantofani, Vik Muniz, Eko Nugroho, Norberto Roldan, Arin Dwihartanto Sunaryo, Rodel Tapaya and Qiu Zhijie.

Please click here to see a preliminary list of the exhibited artworks

Venue:
Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
1 Harbour Road
Wan Chai, Hong Kong

 

ARNDT Berlin
Potsdamer Strasse 96
10785 Berlin
info@arndtberlin.com

Installation View | Art Basel Hong Kong | March 15 - 17, 2015 Installation View | Art Basel Hong Kong | March 15 - 17, 2015
Installation View | Art Basel Hong Kong | March 15 - 17, 2015 Installation View | Art Basel Hong Kong | March 15 - 17, 2015
Installation View | Art Basel Hong Kong | March 15 - 17, 2015 Installation View | Art Basel Hong Kong | March 15 - 17, 2015
Installation View | Art Basel Hong Kong | March 15 - 17, 2015 Installation View | Art Basel Hong Kong | March 15 - 17, 2015

ART STAGE SINGAPORE 2014,  January 16 – 19

ARNDT is pleased to announce its participation at Art Stage Singapore 2014, taking place from January 16 – 19.
We are looking forward welcoming you at our Booth C21A/C21B presenting a group show and a solo show by Jigger Cruz.

Artists exhibited:
Jumaldi Alfi, Stephan Balkenhol, Sophie Calle, Jigger Cruz, Fendry Ekel, Gilbert & George, Hahan, FX Harsono, Jitish Kallat, Eko Nugroho, Chiharu Shiota, Agus Suwage, Rodel Tapaya, Entang Wiharso

Venue:
10 Bayfront Ave, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre (Halls D, E & F), Singapore 018956
ARNDT at Art Stage Singapore 2014 | Installation View | Please click on image to see more

Please click here to view the list of artworks.

ARNDT at Art Stage Singapore 2014 | Installation View ARNDT at Art Stage Singapore 2014 | Installation View
ARNDT at Art Stage Singapore 2014 | Installation View  ARNDT at Art Stage Singapore 2014 | Installation View
ARNDT at Art Stage Singapore 2013 | Installation View, Entang Wiharso, Crush Me # 2, 2012-2013, bronce, thread, pigment, lightbulbs, electrical cable, steel, 340 x 650 x 90 cm | 133.86 x 255.91 x 35.43 in, Edition of 2 (executed in graphite) + 1AP (executed in bronce), # WIHA0079 ARNDT at Art Stage Singapore 2013 | Installation View, Entang Wiharso, Crush Me # 2, 2012-2013, bronce, thread, pigment, lightbulbs, electrical cable, steel, 340 x 650 x 90 cm | 133.86 x 255.91 x 35.43 in, Edition of 2 (executed in graphite) + 1AP (executed in bronce), # WIHA0079
ARNDT at Art Stage Singapore 2013 | Installation View ARNDT at Art Stage Singapore 2013 | Installation View

STEPHAN BALKENHOL

Solo exhibition at ARNDT Singapore
January 11 -  February 28, 2014
 

VIDEO | Stephan Balkenhol about his first solo show at ARNDT Singapore


Press Release

Berlin/Singapore. Stephan Balkenhol is a prominent artist particularly known for his rough-hewn sculptures, each chiseled from a block of wood and then painted. He has been exhibiting his work for more than 30 years at various galleries and museums around the globe. Balkenhol’s first solo exhibition in Singapore will open on January 11, 2014. The art gallery ARNDT will have several of his latest sculptures and mural reliefs on display until February 23, 2014.
Balkenhol places the focus of this exhibition on the human figure with an elephant head, which hails back to his group of works from the 1990s where he mixed humans and animals in a type of hybrid piece. The sculpture establishes a connection to the Hindu deity Ganesha. This deity stands for the perfect Hindu family, together with his mother Parvati and his father Shiva, the deity with multiple arms. “Ganesha and Shiva are archetypical representations that are also prevalent in Europe. They’re the pop stars of the deities,” remarks Balkenhol. The artist uses his elephant man as a paraphrase for the various reproductions of Ganesha as he draws himself nearer to a culture that is still foreign to him. The exhibition in Singapore has several sculptures and mural reliefs created by Balkenhol surrounding this one central figure.
In addition to larger solo exhibitions (the Deichtorhallen art center in Hamburg, 2008/09; Musée de Grenoble, 2010/11), Balkenhol’s work can increasingly be found in public spaces, too. His piece “Balancing art” has been perched in front of the Axel-Springer building in Berlin since 2009, evoking memories of the fall of the Berlin wall. Balkenhol designed the oversized male torso “Sempre più ...”, also in 2009, for the Forum Romanum in Rome, Italy. It was on display at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria, for the Salzburg Festival in 2011, and in 2012, in the courtyard of the Church St. Elisabeth in Kassel, Germany. The exhibition in Kassel took place at the same time as Documenta 13 and showed a sculpture that was integrated into the church tower and quickly became a permanent fixture in the city landscape. The Richard Wagner monument, which Balkenhol created for the city of Leipzig for the 200th anniversary of the German composer’s birthday in 2013, similarly became a mainstay in the city. The same year, the artist also presented his work at the German ambassador’s history-laden residence in the Palais Beauharnais in Paris.

Stephan Balkenhol was born in Fritzlar, Germany, in 1957. Since 1993 he has been a professor of sculpture at the State Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe. He lives and works between Kassel, Karlsruhe, Berlin, and Meisenthal, France.

 

Press

blouinartinfo.com | Stephan Balkenhol | ARNDT Singapore

ARNDT Singapore
Gillman Barracks
BLK 22 Lock Road #01-35
Singapore 108939
Tel. +65 67340775

Stephan Balkenhol, Studio shot, Man with white shirt and black trousers, 2013, Coloured bronze, 190 x 0 cm | 74.8 x 0 in Number 1 from an edition of 3, # BALK0009 Stephan Balkenhol, Studio shot, Man with white shirt and black trousers, 2013, Coloured bronze, 190 x 0 cm | 74.8 x 0 in Number 1 from an edition of 3, # BALK0009