ANSELM REYLE | Returning to Gesture

Why It Matters

Reyle’s hybrid method revitalizes gestural abstraction, offering collectors a fresh, material‑rich narrative that bridges performance and craftsmanship.

Key Takeaways

• Reyle returns to gestural painting using neon‑chrome brush technique.
• Works are assembled on aluminum base beneath jute, layered with spray paint.
• Process mixes spontaneous brush strokes with meticulous taping and mounting.
• He embraces accidental outcomes, treating mistakes as part of the gesture.
• Collaboration with his team yields proprietary pigments and materials over decades.

Summary

Anselm Reyle, Berlin‑based artist, revisits his early gestural roots in a new exhibition, employing a distinctive neon‑chrome brush technique that fuses performance with material innovation.

The works are built on a hard aluminum substrate hidden beneath jute, where white‑prepped chrome brush strokes are later mounted from behind. Layers of neon spray paint are applied after extensive taping, creating a luminous surface that balances spontaneous mark‑making with a labor‑intensive, multi‑step production process.

Reyle emphasizes a relaxed, almost accidental approach: “I try to be as loose as possible, even when I’m distracted.” He paints lying down to prevent drips, accepts mistakes as part of the gesture, and highlights the collaborative development of proprietary pigments with his long‑standing team.

The exhibition signals a renewed interest in gestural abstraction, showcasing how contemporary artists can merge traditional painterly gestures with cutting‑edge materials, potentially reshaping collector demand and influencing future studio practices.

Original Description

In this new video interview with Anselm Reyle, filmed on the occasion of his exhibition CHAPEL OF GHOULS at KÖNIG GALERIE, the artist reflects on returning to the gestural roots of his practice in a new form. Reyle speaks about spontaneity, materiality, and the tension between expressive painting and industrial production, offering insights into the making of his recent CHROME BRUSH PAINTINGS. Moving between painting, sculpture, and object, the works transform fleeting gestures into chrome-plated forms—balancing chance, control, and constructed artificiality.

Learn more about the exhibition: https://www.koeniggalerie.com/blogs/exhibitions/anselm-reyle-chapel-of-ghouls

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© Video by KÖNIG GALERIE