Translucides in an exhibition space

Exhibitions On Tour

Translucides - Paintings by Margareta Hesse

Biting Colours and Crystal-clear Forms When Margareta Hesse, artist and teacher at the Fachhochschulein Dortmund, Germany, speaks about her pictures, one cannot help feeling as if transposed into a secret laboratory. The talk is of 'modular sequences', 'polyester panels with skin structures', 'glass- bowl-like cross sections', and altogether 'obscure, dubious forms.' It does not end there. These are not simply pictures but 'Translucides' (Tran illuminated pictures), as the exhibition title has it.

Enamel paints meet fluorescent paints, the secretions of Indian scale insects (shellac) are organised into honey-coloured lines, the most synthetic of all conceivable materials, plastic, is given an organic appearance by means of artistic handling. The viewer stands agape before the light-absorbing semi-transparent sheets of plastic in all their unadorned formal concentration and presence and is baffled. Some of these compositions have the air of archaic symmetrical formations, like codes for something living as yet to come into being. Or again, if the spectres inlaid in poisonous red were to coalesce, some biological cellular structure could pump into life. The ambiguity is altogether intentional, as Hesse makes clear through one of her silicone objects.- 'Anyone who's ever worked with silicone knows that they're dealing with a basically ghastly material. In contrast the effect of the finished picture is harmonious, ragile and precious.'

Detail from Translucides painting

In their lucid abstractness, the works do not cease to surprise in their honesty - and their unquestionable, unsurpassable effectiveness. It is impossible to ignore them - this perhaps the mainspring of the success that Margareta Hesse, born in Duderstadt in 1956, enjoys with her so particular art. Numerous shows in Germany and prizes and awards both national and international attest to her position in the contemporary art scene, of which we can now gain our own impression in the UK.

Exhibition Hire

Availability

Available from 10 July 2006 until the end of 2008.

Insurance

Hirer responsible for insurance value of £38,000 from receipt to return.

Running space

70 metres running wall space.

Contact details

Sonja Kielty, Museums Officer (Exhibitions) tel 01274 431207, email sonja.kielty@bradford.gov.uk

Exhibition contents

31 wall mountable pieces with especially made fittings included. Text panel mounted onto plastic panel, labels mounted onto plastic backings and catalogues for display. Preview invitation card design provided.

Venue to provide

  • Insurance
  • Onward transport (or return to Cartwright Hall Art Gallery)
  • Replacement packing materials
  • Gallery warding
  • Attendance figures
  • Education programme
  • Press/media coverage

Fee

£2,000 for an eight week period, longer/shorter by negotiation

Transport

Fee includes one way transport. Hirer to return or transport to next venue.