Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

 

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
July 2–August 21, 2010
Berlin

For Gary Hume’s first solo exhibition in Berlin for over 15 years, he presents a selection of new work including Big Bird (2010), a major large-scale six-panel painting, a group of six paintings, four sculptures and, for the first time, five works on paper.

The six paintings form a series of large-format works painted with Hume’s trademark seductive bright colors, given extra luminosity through the use of gloss paint on aluminum. The images are stripped to their essential shapes imbuing any details with increased significance. This allows the works such as The Bridge (2009) to be read both as representation as well as abstract interlinking shapes. The source images are taken from cheerleader magazines, with the unusual viewpoints and angles capturing the movement of the bodies, and closely-cropped images providing a visual challenge to the eye. The contrast of the pastel colors and flesh tones with the cropped images of dissected bodies conveys a sense of dislocation and the disquiet at the heart of representations of American beauty.

These new paintings relate to the earlier American Tan series, which was described as follows in a press release: ‘Hume finds ambivalence in this most iconic of American art forms: simultaneous desire and repulsion, overt sexuality colliding with playful innocence, power and pride wrapped up in exuberant kitsch’. The new drawings are less closely cropped than the paintings and present instantly recognizable images of women in strong poses. Works like Untitled (2009) present a body and face in strong outline on a neutral background that contrasts and highlights the fiery red color of the figure’s hair.

The beautifully shaped and tactile sculptures are conceived from mannequin parts, the human body in ideal universal form. Hume fuses the powerful limbs into static shapes latent with movement, and the vulnerability that their prone position conveys. Hume makes a model of the sculpture, the marble is then carved by hand and laboriously finished with sandpaper. One or more surface is covered in bright gloss paint, creating a strong contrast between materials.

 

Installation Views
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Details
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Bird in a Fish Tank
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, July 2–August 21, 2010

Details
icon_fullscreen
1 of 8
Exhibited Works
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Map, 2010

Gary Hume
Map, 2010
Gloss paint on aluminium panel
6 parts
198 × 193 cm each
594 × 386 cm overall
6 parts
78 × 76 inches each
233 7/8 × 152 inches overall

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
The Shit, 2009

Gary Hume
The Shit, 2009
Gloss paint on aluminium panel
244 × 161 cm
96 × 63 3/8 inches

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
The Cunt, 2009

Gary Hume
The Cunt, 2009
Gloss paint on aluminium panel
244 × 161 cm
96 × 63 3/8 inches

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
The Bridge, 2009

Gary Hume
The Bridge, 2009
Gloss paint on aluminum panel
244 × 161 cm
96 × 63 3/8 inches

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
The Tumble, 2009

Gary Hume
The Tumble, 2009
Gloss paint on aluminium panel
244 × 161 cm
96 × 63 3/8 inches

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
The Spunk, 2009

Gary Hume
The Spunk, 2009
Gloss paint on aluminium
244 × 161 cm
96 × 63 3/8 inches

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Sculpture 2, 2009
More views

Gary Hume
Sculpture 2, 2009
Sculpture: marble with gloss paint, metal
Plinth: painted bronze
Sculpture: 96.5 × 54.9 × 24 cm
Plinth: 11.2 × 29.5 × 29.5 cm
Sculpture: 37 × 18 × 13 3/8 inches
Plinth: 4 3/8 × 11 5/8 × 11 5/8 inches

More views
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Sculpture 3, 2009
More views

Gary Hume
Sculpture 3, 2009
Sculpture: marble with gloss paint, metal
Plinth: painted bronze
Sculpture: 96.5 × 54.9 × 24 cm
Plinth: 11.2 × 29.5 × 29.5 cm
Sculpture: 29 3/4 × 15 3/4 × 9 1/2 inches
Plinth: 4 3/8 × 11 5/8 × 11 5/8 inches

More views
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Sculpture 4, 2009
More views

Gary Hume
Sculpture 4, 2009
Sculpture: marble with gloss paint, metal
Plinth: painted bronze
Sculpture: 96.5 × 54.9 × 24 cm
Plinth: 11.2 × 29.5 × 29.5 cm
Sculpture: 37 5/8 × 24 × 14 1/8 inches
Plinth: 4 3/8 × 11 5/8 × 11 5/8 inches

More views
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Mississippi, 2009

Gary Hume
Mississippi, 2009
Paint on paper
242 × 150 cm
95 1/4 × 59 inches

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Carolina, 2009

Gary Hume
Carolina, 2009
Paint on paper
253 × 150 cm
99 5/8 × 59 inches

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Virginia, 2009

Gary Hume
Virginia, 2009
Paint on paper
248 × 150 cm
97 5/8 × 59 inches

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Tennessee, 2009

Gary Hume
Tennessee, 2009
Paint on paper
243 × 147 cm
95 3/4 × 57 7/8 inches

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Kentucky, 2009

Gary Hume
Kentucky, 2009
Paint on paper
238 × 150 cm
93 3/4 × 59 inches

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Alabama, 2009

Gary Hume
Alabama, 2009
Paint on paper
230 × 150 cm
90 1/2 × 59 inches

Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume
Back of a Snowman (black), 2002
More views

Gary Hume
Back of a Snowman (black), 2002
Painted bronze
152.4 × 124.5 × 44.5 cm
60 × 49 × 17 1/2 inches

More views
Details
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Map, 2010
Gloss paint on aluminium panel
6 parts
198 × 193 cm each
594 × 386 cm overall
6 parts
78 × 76 inches each
233 7/8 × 152 inches overall

Gary Hume
Map, 2010
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
The Shit, 2009
Gloss paint on aluminium panel
244 × 161 cm
96 × 63 3/8 inches

Gary Hume
The Shit, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
The Cunt, 2009
Gloss paint on aluminium panel
244 × 161 cm
96 × 63 3/8 inches

Gary Hume
The Cunt, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
The Bridge, 2009
Gloss paint on aluminum panel
244 × 161 cm
96 × 63 3/8 inches

Gary Hume
The Bridge, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
The Tumble, 2009
Gloss paint on aluminium panel
244 × 161 cm
96 × 63 3/8 inches

Gary Hume
The Tumble, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
The Spunk, 2009
Gloss paint on aluminium
244 × 161 cm
96 × 63 3/8 inches

Gary Hume
The Spunk, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Sculpture 2, 2009
Sculpture: marble with gloss paint, metal
Plinth: painted bronze
Sculpture: 96.5 × 54.9 × 24 cm
Plinth: 11.2 × 29.5 × 29.5 cm
Sculpture: 37 × 18 × 13 3/8 inches
Plinth: 4 3/8 × 11 5/8 × 11 5/8 inches

Gary Hume
Sculpture 2, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Sculpture 2, 2009 (detail)

Gary Hume
Sculpture 2, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Sculpture 2, 2009 (detail)

Gary Hume
Sculpture 2, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Sculpture 2, 2009 (detail)

Gary Hume
Sculpture 2, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Sculpture 3, 2009
Sculpture: marble with gloss paint, metal
Plinth: painted bronze
Sculpture: 96.5 × 54.9 × 24 cm
Plinth: 11.2 × 29.5 × 29.5 cm
Sculpture: 29 3/4 × 15 3/4 × 9 1/2 inches
Plinth: 4 3/8 × 11 5/8 × 11 5/8 inches

Gary Hume
Sculpture 3, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Sculpture 3, 2009 (detail)

Gary Hume
Sculpture 3, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Sculpture 3, 2009 (detail)

Gary Hume
Sculpture 3, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Sculpture 3, 2009 (detail)

Gary Hume
Sculpture 3, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Sculpture 4, 2009
Sculpture: marble with gloss paint, metal
Plinth: painted bronze
Sculpture: 96.5 × 54.9 × 24 cm
Plinth: 11.2 × 29.5 × 29.5 cm
Sculpture: 37 5/8 × 24 × 14 1/8 inches
Plinth: 4 3/8 × 11 5/8 × 11 5/8 inches

Gary Hume
Sculpture 4, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Sculpture 4, 2009 (detail)

Gary Hume
Sculpture 4, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Sculpture 4, 2009 (detail)

Gary Hume
Sculpture 4, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Sculpture 4, 2009 (detail)

Gary Hume
Sculpture 4, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Sculpture 4, 2009 (detail)

Gary Hume
Sculpture 4, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Mississippi, 2009
Paint on paper
242 × 150 cm
95 1/4 × 59 inches

Gary Hume
Mississippi, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Carolina, 2009
Paint on paper
253 × 150 cm
99 5/8 × 59 inches

Gary Hume
Carolina, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Virginia, 2009
Paint on paper
248 × 150 cm
97 5/8 × 59 inches

Gary Hume
Virginia, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Tennessee, 2009
Paint on paper
243 × 147 cm
95 3/4 × 57 7/8 inches

Gary Hume
Tennessee, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Kentucky, 2009
Paint on paper
238 × 150 cm
93 3/4 × 59 inches

Gary Hume
Kentucky, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Alabama, 2009
Paint on paper
230 × 150 cm
90 1/2 × 59 inches

Gary Hume
Alabama, 2009
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Back of a Snowman (black), 2002
Painted bronze
152.4 × 124.5 × 44.5 cm
60 × 49 × 17 1/2 inches

Gary Hume
Back of a Snowman (black), 2002
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Back of a Snowman (black), 2002 (detail)

Gary Hume
Back of a Snowman (black), 2002
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Back of a Snowman (black), 2002 (detail)

Gary Hume
Back of a Snowman (black), 2002
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin
Gary Hume – Bird in a Fish Tank – Berlin

Gary Hume
Back of a Snowman (black), 2002 (detail)

Gary Hume
Back of a Snowman (black), 2002
Details
icon_fullscreen
1 of 16

 

Selected Press

Gary Hume’s ‚Bird in a Fish Tank‘ opens in Berlin
Aesthetica Blog, July 7, 2010