Imi Knoebel, one of the most significant figures in contemporary art and the minimalist movement, meets art enthusiasts at Galerie Christian Lethert from May 8 to June 19, 2026.
Having looked to the renowned painter Kasimir Malevich as a primary point of reference since the beginning of his career, Knoebel is a cornerstone of the generation of artists that developed a radical and minimal formal language in the 1960s.
The Artist’s Practice and Style:
- Avoidance of Figuration: Knoebel constructs an entirely geometric language, avoiding any figurative or descriptive elements in his works.
- The Intersection of Painting and Sculpture: His artistic journey, which began with black-and-white line paintings, evolved over time into fiberboard room installations and subsequently into highly colorful works on wood and aluminum. The artist’s work consistently stands on the fine line between painting and sculpture.
- Series and Form: Following formal rules such as layering, sequencing, and stacking, Knoebel generally creates his works in series, utilizing an increasingly masterful use of color.
Principal Works in the Exhibition
The exhibition presents examples from the artist’s extensive range of production, spanning from the 1990s to the present. Key works highlighted in the text include:
- Betoni Series (1990): Sculptural / three-dimensional works produced using concrete and pigment (Betoni and Betoni 939).
- Acrylic on Aluminum Works: Pieces reflecting the artist’s recent virtuosity and vibrant color palette:
- Anima Mundi 66-4 (2024)
- Kleiner Archetyp 28c (2023)
- Once upon a time XV (2022)
- Zwei Elemente – 3 (2022)
- BIG GIRL X.2 (2019)
- Beijing (2007)
Galerie Christian Lethert, which has focused on contemporary abstract-minimalist art programs since 2006, is proud to host this impressive exhibition.
Exhibition Details:
- Dates: May 8 – June 19, 2026
- Venue: Galerie Christian Lethert
Address: Antwerpener Straße 52, Cologne, Germany
