Art Review: Hans-Peter Feldmann @ Serpentine Gallery

Tabish Khan
By Tabish Khan Last edited 143 months ago
Art Review: Hans-Peter Feldmann @ Serpentine Gallery
Installation view, Hans-Peter Feldmann, Serpentine Gallery. © 2012 Jerry Hardman-Jones
Installation view, Hans-Peter Feldmann, Serpentine Gallery. © 2012 Jerry Hardman-Jones
Installation view, Hans-Peter Feldmann, Serpentine Gallery. © 2012 Jerry Hardman-Jones.
Installation view, Hans-Peter Feldmann, Serpentine Gallery. © 2012 Jerry Hardman-Jones.
Installation view, Hans-Peter Feldmann, Serpentine Gallery. © 2012 Jerry Hardman-Jones.
Installation view, Hans-Peter Feldmann, Serpentine Gallery. © 2012 Jerry Hardman-Jones.
Installation view, Hans-Peter Feldmann, Serpentine Gallery. © 2012 Jerry Hardman-Jones.
Installation view, Hans-Peter Feldmann, Serpentine Gallery. © 2012 Jerry Hardman-Jones.
Hans-Peter Feldmann. © 2011 Hans-Peter Feldmann
Hans-Peter Feldmann. © 2011 Hans-Peter Feldmann

Hans-Peter Feldmann is a conceptual artist whose knowing humour can't help but make you smile. As an example, he decided to convert his $100,000 winnings for the 2010 Hugo Boss prize into his next exhibition, by sticking the constituent one-dollar-bills over the walls of the gallery.

The Serpentine Gallery is hosting a retrospective of his works and there are some real gems on display.

Feldmann's playful sense of humour is evident in his work, such as when black bars are used to cover the genitalia of classical nudes. But his subtler side is  represented by the wooden figure operating a cross trainer that suggests we become soulless automatons when we're in a gym.

Feldmann is able to create art to suit all tastes, with landscape paintings and a silhouette ballet using only lamps and toy figures. He's clearly taken inspiration from Magritte but he has managed to forge his own unique and quirky portfolio.

As the weather improves, the crowds will flock to Kensington Gardens and shouldn't miss this brilliant collection of surreal art.

Hans-Peter Feldmann is on display at the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens until 3 June. Admission is free.

Last Updated 17 April 2012