In Process: Karl Bielik

Karl Bielik in his London studio, 2013

Today's In Process post features, London based abstract painter, Karl Bielik.

I first became aware of Bielik's poetic, muscular brand of abstraction in 2011 and have followed his work closely ever since.

In December of 2011 I participated in an exhibition (Done Paint Done) in London curated by Bielik and was able to visit his studio. You can view that post here.

Here Bielik documents the development of a large work that eventually becomes Tumble - completed in 2013. This is an exceptional opportunity to view the artist's hand and mind at work through each twist and turn of alternately minute or sweeping, painterly, workings and revisions.

About the artist:

Working on a multitude of paintings at a time, Karl Bielik's brew of abstractions are developed in batches. 

Irregular canvases cover his studio walls and floors, where he shifts from one painting to another, experimenting playfully with mark making. 

Formal lines taken from photographs and diagrams contrast loose oily wounds, thick emulsions offset light glazes and dribbles. In contrast to this emotive imagery, banal solitary words form Bielik's titles, tempering and balancing the melancholy character of his paintings.

His work has been in numerous shows at home and abroad, most notably The Marmite, Creekside and Lexmark Art Prizes in the U.K.

(detail)

(detail)

Tumble, 2013, oil on canvas, 165 x 85 cm.

Studio view with Tumble, 2013

Opportunities to see Bielik's work on display include:

PART THREE: Oblique Exchange
27th September - 20th October 2013


Form/Function curated by Lisa Denyer at Piccadilly Place, Manchester M1 3BN 
Runs till 22.09.13


Now you see it, now you don't, The 8th Terrace Annual Open, London. PV 31.08.13



*All images curtesy of the artist. ©Karl Bielik