A Stage

The young Leipzig School painter Tim Eitel is best known for his depictions of people contemplating artworks in public spaces. Of his new work, Eitel says, "I wanted to focus more directly on life and my surroundings, not just on the microcosm of the art context. I wanted to let more of the outside world into my paintings, and more atmosphere, too." Thus, people and spaces seem to submerge into a disquieting twilight; a peacefully reclining figure becomes a fragile symbol; and a couple rows a paddleboat out into nothingness. Eitel continues, "It's not possible for me to keep it all separate: the conscious and unconscious memories of every image I've seen in my life. Paintings from art history, but also photographs and snippets from film and TV. That's what our world view is made up of." Eitel captures everyday gestures and situations, then uses them to investigate the relationship between man, nature and public space in his paintings.