Gert & Uwe Tobias

Maureen Paley is pleased to present the second solo exhibition by Gert & Uwe Tobias at the gallery. Identical twin brothers Gert & Uwe Tobias were born in Brasov, Romania, in 1973, in the Transylvanian region. Having moved to Germany in 1985 they studied in Brunswick, and now live and work in a studio complex on the outskirts of Cologne. They paint, sculpt, make traditional woodcuts and collages. They have worked together since 2001 and when in their studio the artists often complete each other’s work. Their work is full of characters and creatures drawn from eastern European folk art combined with diverse influences, from abstract art of the early 20th century to German post-war painting.

The Tobias brothers’ giant woodcuts and wall paintings draw on modernist geometric abstraction; however they combine line, shape, colour and typography with the narrative images and patterns of folk art, using decorative motifs such as flowers, plants, patterns, embroidery and domestic objects. These elements are often placed against a grid or flat painted background to create dramatic and surreal tableaux. There is much reference and quotation in their work from the rich Surrealist period, William Blake, along with symbolist allusion – all connected through their Romanian folk tradition. However, the bold and geometric presentation they employ creates a contemporary context that is unique to them.