Douglas Kolk

DOUGLAS KÖLK ( Newark USA, 1963- 2014).
"Zomby mommy", 2005.
Collage and mixed media on paper.
Presents labels and exhibition stamps on the back:
- Pilar Parra Gallery (Madrid),
- Arnd+Partner (Berlin and Zurich).
- Bilderrahmen Janecky (Berlin).
Measurements: 50,5 x 38 cm; 67 x 53 cm (frame).
Douglas Kolk's collages are loaded with dynamic and contradictory visual material. Images of feminine beauty are pushed through space with an irregularly drawn line; sprayed color clashes against collaged newspaper. The overall effect is one of clamor and confusion, with certain thematic interests uniting the seemingly divergent elements. Kolk's work explores visual ideas that relate to personal identity, whether graffiti tags, repeated rows of human eyes, or the faces of fashion models, and their juxtaposition in fragmentary form on the surfaces of his works is a form of deferring the resolution of that identity.
Douglas Kolk was born in Newark, USA in 1963 although he developed his artistic career between Germany and New York. His work has been exhibited internationally since 1992 and is now represented in numerous public and private collections, and his body of work investigates the theme of identity and the multifaceted nature of the human psyche. For Douglas Kolk, drawing offered endless possibilities for exploring and interrogating this theme. The artist developed a highly individual style. Although he varied greatly in his choice of materials, the drawings are always recognizable, beginning with small drawings on paper, Douglas Kolk developed large format works on paper and distinguished himself with his works on canvas and his drawings on the wall. The result is a language that is universally understandable but nevertheless retains an element of mystery.The artist's work has a direct, sensitive and authentic effect on the viewer. However, Kolk allowed enough freedom for the recognition of our own ideas, wishes and desires within the drawings and figures.