ARMIN BOEHM: LUST ANGST SCHMERZ EKSTASE

KÖNIG GALERIE is pleased to present LUST ANGST SCHMERZ EKSTASE, a solo exhibition by Armin Boehm.

September 11 – October 27, 2024

Created between 2023 and 2024, the works explore a diverse range of motifs, from the assassination attempt on Donald Trump to the Berlin nightclub Berghain. Boehm dissects and critiques the political and social landscape through a lens that is both satirical and reflective, positioning himself as a keen observer of our time.

His paintings, accompanied by preparatory drawings that offer insight into his creative process, blend allegory and caricature within a rich tradition of social commentary. Vivid, hybrid characters and chaotic scenes are meticulously crafted to convey a sense of unease. This approach is reminiscent of medieval iconography, which used dramatic and often unsettling imagery to convey religious, moral, and societal messages. Additionally, Boehm’s work draws from the exaggerated forms of early 20th-century satirical art.

Masks, both literal and metaphorical, are a recurring motif that reflects the performative nature of identity and the layers of artifice that define everyday interactions. On this hyperreal world stage, authenticity becomes performative – a concept resonant in an era dominated by social media and political spectacle. Boehm’s hybrid characters embody this shift, navigating a world where the real and the simulated are increasingly indistinguishable from one another.

LUST ANGST SCHMERZ EKSTASE is an unflinching exploration of the human experience, challenging us to confront uncomfortable truths in a world that seems permanently on the brink. Much like a seismograph, Boehm records the tremors of societal change with a sharp, critical eye. In an age marked by wars, inflation, and societal stress, his paintings feel urgent, relevant.

The underworldly atmospheres he creates tap into the collective unconscious where suppressed desires and fears are given free rein. Mirroring a fractured world, they openly question the conditions shaping our reality.