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Cornelius Völker
In the Last Light, 25 February - 19 March 2022
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Cornelius Völker : In the Last Light

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Overview
4 Cornelius Völker paintings hanging in the gallery
"In the Last Light" installation view

Cornelius Völker explores the thorny relationships we humans have with nature and time in a series of paintings that, while rooted in conventions of historical European painting, are eminently contemporary.

 

The centerpiece of the exhibition is a group of heroically-scaled works of luxuriant foliage.  Theatrically illuminated, the vegetation emerges out of gloom.  The paint is exuberantly brushy and the colors unnatural, making the work simultaneously luscious, psychedelic and somewhat ominous.   No sun dappled garden or picturesque vista here; these look like the densely tangled forest in which Hansel and Gretel got lost.

 

Paired with the unorthodox landscapes in this show are still life paintings akin to those of the golden age of Dutch painting.  Jars of pickled foodstuffs — cucumbers, herring filets, beets and white asparagus — glow softly in the shimmer of a candle stub.  In other paintings, a kidney floats in a dusty specimen jar or two hearts lie next to one another under a harsh light.   

 

Dutch stilleven, meaning “motionless” or “silent,” were carefully staged arrangements of perishable foods — ripe fruit, sumptuous shellfish, oysters and meats — laid out on Chinese porcelain and polished silver, arranged with flowers and Venetian glass, and displayed on a Turkish rug-draped table.  Celebrations of opulence, material beauty and sensuality, their message is that life is brief; live it while you can. 

 

But they’re also paintings about lavish consumption.  In the 17th century, the Low Countries exploded economically.  The newly rich merchant class was eager to show off the luxury their global commerce-based wealth was able to purchase.  This was the first international, consumer-based culture, and they pursued it with abandon. 

 

As the Dutch paintings reflect the social and cultural climate of their time, Cornelius Völker’s paintings mirror contemporary concerns.     

 

Our relationship to nature has never been simple.  We rely on the natural world for resources, while we exploit and defile it.  We romanticize nature, but most of us are completely cut off from it.  We fret over global warming and the extinction of species, yet are unwilling to make the inconvenient personal choices that would make a difference.  With rising sea levels, extreme weather conditions, pandemics and perpetual wild fire seasons, nature, in the 21st century, may prove more threatening than ever.  The Blätter (Leaves) paintings reflect this ambivalence – both seductively beautiful and anxiety provoking.  

 

And while Völker’s burning candle signals the inevitable passage of time, the jarred condiments allude to our attempt to stop it.  In these pictures, the food never spoils.  But neither is it mouthwatering, sumptuous or exotic.  It’s cheap, mass-produced and sterile in its brine.  How dulled by lives of affluence have we become?  Are we so obsessed with youth, with arresting time and living forever, that we never actually taste life?

 

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Works
  • Four yellowing asparagus stems tied together by a blue rubber band hang off the edge of a tan table.
    Cornelius Völker
    Spargel (Asparagus), 2021
    oil on canvas
    31 1/2 x 23 5/8 in
    80 x 60 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ECornelius%20V%C3%B6lker%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ESpargel%20%28Asparagus%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2021%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E31%201/2%20x%2023%205/8%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A80%20x%2060%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Still life of lit candle to the left of jar of preserved asparagus with green lid.
    Cornelius Völker
    Kerze mit Spargel (Candle with Asparagus), 2021
    oil on canvas
    29 1/2 x 19 3/4 in
    75 x 50 cm
    Inquire
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  • Installation view of Vase.
    Cornelius Völker
    Vase (Vase), 2021
    oil on canvas
    86 5/8 x 43 1/4 in
    220 x 110 cm
  • Still life of a lit candle, three jars of different types of pickles, and lemons (one whole, one halved, and one single slice).
    Cornelius Völker
    Kerze mit Eingelegtem (Candle with Pickles), 2021
    oil on canvas
    39 3/8 x 31 1/2 in
    100 x 80 cm
    Inquire
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  • Large animal heart sits in clear glass cooking dish.
    Cornelius Völker
    Herz (Heart), 2021
    oil on canvas
    19 3/4 x 21 5/8 in
    50 x 55 cm
  • Still life of lit candle to the right of jar of preserved pickles with green lid.
    Cornelius Völker
    Kerze mit Gurken (Candle with Pickles), 2021
    oil on canvas
    51 1/8 x 35 3/8 in
    130 x 90 cm
  • Green Fuschia and blue flowers peak through dense green foliage. leaves in pink lighting.
    Cornelius Völker
    Blätter (Leaves), 2021
    oil on canvas
    118 1/8 x 78 3/4 in
    300 x 200 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ECornelius%20V%C3%B6lker%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EBl%C3%A4tter%20%28Leaves%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2021%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E118%201/8%20x%2078%203/4%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A300%20x%20200%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Aged leaves in shades of green, orange and purple contrast with dark background.
    Cornelius Völker
    Blätter (Leaves), 2021
    oil on canvas
    118 1/8 x 78 3/4 in
    300 x 200 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ECornelius%20V%C3%B6lker%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EBl%C3%A4tter%20%28Leaves%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2021%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E118%201/8%20x%2078%203/4%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A300%20x%20200%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Leaves and flowers in neon color scheme contrast with dark background.
    Cornelius Völker
    Blätter (Leaves), 2021
    oil on canvas
    118 1/8 x 78 3/4 in
    300 x 200 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ECornelius%20V%C3%B6lker%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EBl%C3%A4tter%20%28Leaves%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2021%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E118%201/8%20x%2078%203/4%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A300%20x%20200%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Two green leaves attached by a single red stem rest upside down on a beige surface.
    Cornelius Völker
    Blatt (Leaf), 2021
    oil on canvas
    19 3/4 x 27 1/2 in
    50 x 70 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ECornelius%20V%C3%B6lker%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EBlatt%20%28Leaf%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2021%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E19%203/4%20x%2027%201/2%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A50%20x%2070%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Two green leaves attached by a single red stem cast a shadow on the beige surface they rest on. Behind these two leaves is a much smaller leaf on the same beige surface.
    Cornelius Völker
    Blatt (Leaf), 2021
    oil on canvas
    19 3/4 x 27 1/2 in
    50 x 70 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ECornelius%20V%C3%B6lker%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EBlatt%20%28Leaf%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2021%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E19%203/4%20x%2027%201/2%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A50%20x%2070%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Three green leaves attached by a red stem rest on a beige surface.
    Cornelius Völker
    Blatt (Leaf), 2021
    oil on canvas
    19 3/4 x 27 1/2 in
    50 x 70 cm
  • Still life of lit candle, two lemon slices, four jars of preserved vegetables and a mandolin slicer with round white vegetable.
    Cornelius Völker
    Kerze mit Eingelegtem (Candle with Pickles), 2021
    oil on canvas
    74 3/4 x 59 1/8 in
    190 x 150 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ECornelius%20V%C3%B6lker%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EKerze%20mit%20Eingelegtem%20%28Candle%20with%20Pickles%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2021%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E74%203/4%20x%2059%201/8%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A190%20x%20150%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Large green leaves emerge towards the viewer from background of dense red foliage.
    Cornelius Völker
    Blätter (Leaves), 2021
    oil on canvas
    63 x 70 7/8 in
    160 x 180 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ECornelius%20V%C3%B6lker%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EBl%C3%A4tter%20%28Leaves%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2021%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E63%20x%2070%207/8%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A160%20x%20180%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Four stalks of yellowing asparagus tied together with a green rubber band are resting on a tan countertop.
    Cornelius Völker
    Spargel (Asparagus), 2021
    oil on canvas
    31 1/2 x 23 5/8 in
    80 x 60 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ECornelius%20V%C3%B6lker%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ESpargel%20%28Asparagus%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2021%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E31%201/2%20x%2023%205/8%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A80%20x%2060%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Still life of lit candle, three jars of different preserved vegetables, and three yellow lemon slices, one being juiced.
    Cornelius Völker
    Kerze mit Eingelegtem (Candle with Pickles), 2021
    oil on canvas
    78 3/4 x 59 1/8 in
    200 x 150 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ECornelius%20V%C3%B6lker%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EKerze%20mit%20Eingelegtem%20%28Candle%20with%20Pickles%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2021%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E78%203/4%20x%2059%201/8%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A200%20x%20150%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Large kidney is preserved upright in rectangular glass case.
    Cornelius Völker
    Niere (Kidney), 2021
    oil on canvas
    43 1/4 x 29 1/2 in
    110 x 75 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ECornelius%20V%C3%B6lker%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ENiere%20%28Kidney%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2021%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E43%201/4%20x%2029%201/2%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A110%20x%2075%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Two large animal hearts rest on beige surface.
    Cornelius Völker
    Zwei Herzen (Two Hearts), 2021
    oil on canvas
    27 1/2 x 39 3/8 in
    70 x 100 cm
Installation Views
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Three large paintings as tall as the wall. The paintings depict leaves portrayed in multicolored lighting.
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Two paintings of burning candle on silver candle stick with assortment of jars of pickled foods.
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Painting on wall of Dark green leaves reflecting blue highlights with red background..
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Three paintings on wall. One on farthest left of tall and skinny vase with roses. Two paintings on the right...
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Woman standing in empty gallery looking at paintings of a vase of flowers and two other paintings of white asparagus.
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Man with painting of Assortment of pickled items in jars with slices of lemon, a burning candle, and hard boiled...
News
  • HG Magazine Issue no. 36

    HG Magazine Issue no. 36

    Cornelius Völker, Angelina Pwerle, Max Gimblett & William T. Wiley February 17, 2022
    Announcing Cornelius Völker: In the Last Light Photo Essay by Cornelius Völker Recent Press William T. Wiley: on view Max Gimblett Artist Book collection acquired...
    Read more

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  • The image is a painting that portrays a bouquet of wilting roses in a clear glass vase, set against a dark background. The roses, which are in various stages of decay, exhibit deep reds and purples, with hints of pink on the petals, capturing the fleeting

    Cornelius Völker

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