Creating Unique Abstract Paintings Through New Techniques Derived from Past Practices

An exhibition by French painter Bernard Frize, who explores new concepts by experimenting with unprecedented painting techniques and revisiting his past practices, is being held at Kaikai Kiki Gallery and Perrotin Tokyo. This exhibition, featuring a wide range of paintings including new works, marks his first exhibition in Japan in 13 years, since the group exhibition 'Essential Painting' at The National Museum of Art, Osaka.

While Frize's works are categorized as abstract painting, they are highly regarded as central to the new developments in contemporary abstract art, earning him the Käthe Kollwitz Prize from the Berlin Academy of Arts in 2015. His paintings are characterized by the exclusion of representational art—that is, the depiction of reality, recognizable objects, or images—and are filled with unique geometric patterns and rich colors. Although the visual perception may evoke concrete objects like stones, curtains, or bookshelves, this expansion of vision also brings about a reduction or fragmentation of imagery.

From the early stages of his career, Frize has incorporated this concept of paradox into his painting compositions, creating works that derive theorems contrary to the viewer's common sense and expectations. These theorems are carefully applied at individual levels within each artwork, evoking a sense of wonder in the viewer.

Frize states about his work, "I am always trying to reach a point where there isn't just one thing in a painting, or one thing shown, but rather where there is paradox, conflict, and difficulty in the work."

His paintings consistently feature new techniques and experiments. For instance, he might cover the surface of a painting with varnish to create a cracked texture, or deliberately depict images off-center, thereby revealing a succession of shapes that defy conventional rules.





Bernard Frize

Exhibition Period | Until Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Venues | Kaikai Kiki Gallery, Perrotin Tokyo
Address | Kaikai Kiki Gallery / Moto-Azabu Crest Building B1, 2-3-30 Moto-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Perrotin Tokyo / Piramide Building 1F, 6-6-9 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours | 11:00–19:00 (Closed Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays)