Karl Holmqvist at Galerie Neu

Key Takeaways

• Karl Holmqvist presents 'Paint With Make‑Up' exhibition.
• Runs Feb 7–Mar 7 2026 at Galerie Neu, Berlin.
• Works explore cosmetics as painting medium.
• 22 exhibition images available via Contemporary Art Library.
• Press release provides full works list and details.

Summary

Swedish artist Karl Holmqvist is mounting a solo show titled "Paint With Make‑Up" at Galerie Neu in Berlin from February 7 to March 7, 2026. The exhibition repurposes cosmetics as a painting medium, presenting a series of works that blur the line between beauty rituals and fine art. A press release and a complete works list are available online, and 22 high‑resolution images document the show through the Contemporary Art Library. The project underscores Holmqvist’s ongoing investigation of materiality and gendered visual codes.

Pulse Analysis

Karl Holmqvist, known for his conceptual interventions that interrogate language and perception, takes his inquiry into a new tactile realm with "Paint With Make‑Up". By treating lipstick, foundation and eye shadow as pigments, he transforms everyday beauty products into tools of abstraction, challenging traditional hierarchies of medium. This approach resonates with a broader post‑digital discourse where artists appropriate consumer objects to comment on identity, gender performance, and the commodification of appearance. Holmqvist’s practice thus bridges performance, painting, and social critique in a single visual language.

The exhibition is hosted by Galerie Neu, a Berlin space celebrated for championing emerging and mid‑career artists who push formal boundaries. Running for a month, the show features a curated selection of paintings, installations, and video loops that document the application of makeup onto canvas and three‑dimensional surfaces. Critics note the work’s uncanny intimacy, as the pigments retain their cosmetic sheen while acquiring the permanence of paint. The venue’s strategic location in the city’s vibrant Kreuzberg district ensures high foot traffic from collectors, curators, and a culturally curious public.

Beyond its aesthetic impact, "Paint With Make‑Up" signals a market shift toward material experimentation, attracting buyers interested in works that comment on contemporary consumer culture. The availability of a comprehensive press release, works list, and 22 high‑resolution images through the Contemporary Art Library enhances the exhibition’s digital footprint, facilitating remote scholarship and secondary market visibility. As galleries worldwide seek fresh narratives, Holmqvist’s integration of beauty industry supplies into fine art may inspire similar cross‑disciplinary projects, reinforcing Berlin’s reputation as a crucible for avant‑garde innovation.