104GALERIE is holding the solo exhibition Cover and Recover by Pius Fox from October 26th 2024.

The artist’s third solo exhibition at the gallery, two years after his previous show, will feature small works, many of which were produced in pastel, paintings in the aluminium-mounted style that has been introduced with each of his exhibitions, and canvas works – about 30 new pieces in total.

The geographically structured expression of Fox is derived from the forms and composition of things that are present in reality. However, his work is not simply a representation of visual information. Rather, though his own thoughts they become images that evoke a kind of tale. His work is often characterized by complex layers of paints over one another being scratched and rubbed off, creating a fascinating depth.
In between abstract pieces, some figurative works with motifs such as birds, plaster figures, and architecture are placed, from which the viewer can gain an insight into Fox’s perspective and observation of his subjects.

The artist’s thoughts on “Cover and Recover”

From Artist on “Cover and Recover
The title comes from an examination of the terms “cover” and “recover” on different levels.
On the one hand, “cover” is a common term in dealing with music, in which one seeks the possibility of expressing something of one’s own in something foreign – a framework to be able to concentrate only on certain aspects. Transferred to painting, it is of course also a possible strategy for dealing with art history, but with more negative connotations than in music.
Secondly, the word “cover” means “to cover”. Paint always covers white or the underlying color, sometimes opaque or glazed, sometimes completely or partially. This is an important topic for me in my artistic practice. What color is underneath, what is covered and therefore invisible or only to be guessed at? To what extent is it necessary to cover other colors for a certain color and color context?
The theme of the curtains and drapery in art history is of course close to this topic. The fabric covers and conceals something and the game of what is hidden and what can be guessed at begins.
However, the word “recover” adds a layer of care to “cover” – wrapping, keeping warm and even recovering. This also plays a role for me in painting. Following the logic of the terms, can you recover by covering, in these multiple meanings?
Can you pull the blanket of color over yourself and close your eyes?
This theme connects the works exhibited here and is intended to create a confrontation with it.

The main pastel pieces in this exhibition are introduced at 104GALERIE for the first time. For Fox, pastel is an interesting medium, as it lays somewhere between painting and drawing. He is also consciously aiming to make his work more colorful, incorporating gradations and transitions of color in addition to the bold areas and lines of colors distinguished by borders which has long been a characteristic of his approach. These colors and the brushwork bring out a new side of Pius Fox, and highlight changes in the artist himself.
We look forward to welcoming many people to the exhibition.
At 18:00 on Friday October 25th, we are holding an opening reception together with the artist. All are welcome, so please join us together with your friends and families.