MarkBradfordRollerskates – 1080WebShareName

Mark Bradford a well known American artist of whom I also knew nothing, is the 3rd discovery of this first Sunday back home in Berlin. His exhibition is huge, through the long reopened back galleries of the Bahnhof where one piece is a series of paintings layered in torn pieces in parallel lines down the slim gallery on which we stride about making sound. The work is intelligent, sensuous, overtly political, made with huge research and care. I want to meet him although he feels almost too perfect. This work spanning 20 years or so – Bradford was born in California in ’61 – he examines economic inequality, race, pain, survival, gender and health, working with found materials, film, photo, installation, music, site, painting, sculpture and community. It’s powerful and smart and I’m moved and engaged and invited to think, plus it so ticks ALL the boxes that I can’t help but feel a little cynical at how woke it is. Because it’s so clean? So thorough? so worked?

Whatever, it’s a brilliant show. He’s an important artist whose work we should explore. Maybe start here? IN CONVERSATION

[Mark, next time you’re in Berlin, do look me up. I will cook you a fine dinner and we will talk].

( The above image is a still from the roller disco piece (not sure of title) with divinely gorgeous slowed soundtrack of those halcyon disco days and roller skating halls. Yes. He also deals brilliantly with music, although I think there’s a good collaboration in this one.)

These Exhibitions run at Hamburger until May/June. Don’t miss.

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