Matthias Schaareman
Matthias Schaareman (1986, Arnhem) creates paintings on paper in which the tension between two and three-dimensional space is investigated. The forms in his works refer to home furnishings, theaters, industrial heritage and ornaments from old houses. Decorative patterns and shapes that are used in Arabic miniatures and Japanese woodblock prints inspire him. These elements are used because of the precision with which they were made and because both art forms often create, due to ignorance of perspectives and spatiality, the play Schaareman is looking for. In the flat spaces or vistas in his works, the special elements are ordered and played with in a collage-like manner until all the separate parts come together in the right way.
The forms in Schaareman’s works always possess a certain abstraction. The origin and context from which these shapes are created are still visible, but the artist allows himself to build them up, polish them and break them down again in such a way as to give them a more autonomous form.
An important aspect in the works is the recurring graphical and decorative patterns. These patterns sometimes act as a background, but often become part of the spaces Schaareman is suggesting. These designs are not simply decorative. He also investigates their narrative and spatial meanings.
Schaareman’s work is often created without a preconceived idea. The angle of a windowsill, a newly found color or a pattern on a fabric can all be a motive to start painting. Sometimes it takes months or even several years to complete a work because an element that turns out to be necessary to finish the work is only found later on or because the artist needs a moment of courage to take the final steps. The process of painting is always visible in the layers of paint that are built up and removed time after time. Also the graphical constructions, which are used to create the decorative patterns, are still visible when the work is finished. This loads the works with their own history and presence.
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Expo Chicago 2023
Booth #173 13 - 16 Apr 2023EXPO CHICAGO, The International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art, features leading international galleries alongside the highest quality platform for contemporary art and culture. In 2023, EXPO CHICAGO will host...Read more -
EXPO Chicago 2022
7 - 10 Apr 2022EXPO CHICAGO, the international fair for Contemporary & Modern Art, will host the 9th edition in-person exposition from April 7-10, 2022 at Navy Pier. It features leading international galleries alongside...Read more -
THE PINK EDITION
19 Feb - 26 Mar 2022The perception and meaning of pink have changed over the years, going from one extreme to the other and have been present in both high and low culture. From renaissance...Read more -
Volta New York
4 - 8 Mar 2020VOLTA NEW YORK MARCH 4–8, 2020 NEW LOCATION: METROPOLITAN WEST VOLTA showcases contemporary positions by up-and-coming and mid-career artists with an emphasis on discovery, both for the curious newcomer and...Read more -
Untitled, Art. San Francisco
17 - 20 Jan 2020UNTITLED, ART is an international, curated art fair founded in 2012 that focuses on curatorial balance and integrity across all disciplines of contemporary art. UNTITLED, ART innovates the standard fair...Read more -
Art Rotterdam
6 - 10 Feb 2019For Art Rotterdam 2019 Rutger Brandt Gallery (booth 6) showcases three young and talented artists: Carlos Sagrera (1987, Madrid), Matthias Schaareman (1986, Arnhem) and Robert Barta (1975, Prague). All three...Read more -
Untitled, Art. Miami Beach 2018
5 - 9 Dec 2018Untitled, Art is an international, curated art fair founded in 2012 that focuses on curatorial balance and integrity across all disciplines of contemporary art. Untitled, Art innovates the standard fair...Read more -
VOLTA’14 BASEL
11 Jun - 16 Jul 2018VOLTA, Basel’s art fair for new international positions, debuted in 2005 as a collaboration between dealers and friends. The aim was to secure a platform for international galleries beyond young...Read more -
Art Paris
5 - 8 Apr 2018From April 5th-8th 2018, Art Paris Art Fair will bring together 142 galleries from 23 different countries in the spectacular setting of the Grand Palais. Diversity and discovery are the...Read more