In Layers
When cave painters spat pigments over their hands, when kimonos were printed in Japan, and when wallpapers were produced or art prints multiplied in France, stencils were always employed. The use of stencils has long been a common technique in art for transferring motifs. Developments in modern printing technology and later in digital printing largely replaced this fascinating method. The craft was nearly forgotten.
As artists, often from the punk scene, sought a way to leave their drawings or messages quickly, precisely, and repeatedly in public spaces, stencil cutting and painting re-emerged as the ideal technique in the mid-1970s. In the world of street and urban art, this technique, known as Stencil Art, is experiencing a true renaissance today.
Over the past eleven years, the Colab Gallery has occasionally invited well-known stencil artists. Starting from November 18, 2017, the gallery will dedicate a group exhibition to this fascinating topic. Nine artists from around the world have been invited to Weil am Rhein to showcase their impressive artworks.
Regardless of whether brushes, rollers, or spray cans are used for coloring later on, stencils must be painstakingly prepared. As quickly as the actual application proceeds, the preparation itself is time-consuming. All decisions regarding colors, shapes, areas, or lines are made before cutting the motif from cardboard or plastic sheets. The more meticulous these preliminary works are executed, the more accurate and predictable the final result will be.
Despite the various applications, stencils remain mere tools that are often ruined after use and frequently end up in the recycling bin. However, the invited artists masterfully employ them in such a way that they manage to give their artworks a distinctive, personal style using this universal and time-honored painting technique.
We are pleased to present Samina from Portugal, Joe Iurato from the United States, Mando Marie from the Netherlands, the collective Monstfur from Poland, Neur One and RNST from France, as well as Stefan Winterle from Weil am Rhein and Stinkfish from Colombia. A special mention goes to John Fekner from the USA, who, alongside Blek le Rat, is considered a pioneer and founder of modern stencil art.