Thomas Helbig

The practice of Thomas Helbig contains painting, drawing and sculpture, while each of the media plays on its own field. The focus of the paintings is colour itself – in its intrinsic value, its materiality and the ability to create spatial illusions from countless shades of light and dark. In contrast, his collage sculptures demonstrate a different kind of transformation of the source materials he uses. His repertoire is based on a fundus of discarded, thrown-out things, as well as kitschy plastic sculptures. Helbig mixes and connects these disparate elements into new forms, which are displayed as coded messages from an enigmatic present.
THE WORLD:REGLITTERIZED, 2021
Thomas Helbig

Exhibition view
Haus der Kunst Munich

Shaman Chamber Speaker, 2022
Thomas Helbig

Mixed media
105 x 12 x 10 cm

Miraggio di Carne, 2021
Thomas Helbig

Oil on canvas, artist's frame
130 x 100 cm

 

Die Zukunft der Heiligen , 2020
Exhibition view
Galerie Guido W. Baudach
Thomas Helbig
Die Zukunft der Heiligen
Exhibition view
Galerie Guido W. Baudach
Thomas Helbig
Natura Morte, 2020
Thomas Helbig

Oil on canvas, artist´s frame
78 x 60 cm

I, Rubens, 2018
Thomas Helbig

Oil and toner on linen
90 x 80 cm

Der Junge und das Mädchen, 2018
Thomas Helbig

Oil, crayon and toner on paper
57 x 42 cm, framed

Ritratti di donne, 2018
Exhibition view
Galerie Guido W. Baudach
Thomas Helbig
Metamorphosis, 2017
Thomas Helbig

Exhibition view
KAI 10 I Arthena Foundation, Düsseldorf

Schinkel, 2016
Thomas Helbig

Mixed media
50 x 40 x 26 cm

Caligula Verstehen, 2016
Thomas Helbig

Mixed media
65 x 47 x 42 cm

Morgenröthe, 2015
Exhibition view
Galerie Guido W. Baudach
Thomas Helbig
Blüten, 2014
Thomas Helbig

Graphite and coloured crayon
on photo copy on paper
41 x 29 cm

Prop, 2013
Thomas Helbig

Acrylic on fabric
86 x 71 cm

Hieronymus, 2014
Thomas Helbig

Chlorine bleach and acrylic on cotton fabric on canvas
150 x 140 cm

Der Schlaf der Druesen, 2012
Thomas Helbig

Oil on canvas
50 x 40 cm

Dr. Laurin, 2011
Thomas Helbig

Mixed media
195 x 52 x 39 cm

Samen, 2012
Thomas Helbig

Oil on canvas
82 x 93 cm

Thomas Helbig (Berlin-Charlottenburg), 2010
Exhibition view
Galerie Guido W. Baudach
Thomas Helbig
Zinn, 2010
Thomas Helbig

Oil on canvas
60 x 50 cm

Imperium, 2010
Thomas Helbig

Lacquer and oil on wood
164 x 139 x 5,5 cm

Thomas Helbig, 2010
Exhibition view
Galerie Guido W. Baudach
Thomas Helbig
Mr. Kurtz, 2010
Thomas Helbig

Lacquer and oil wood
120 x 100 x 4 cm

ohne Titel, 2007
Thomas Helbig

Oil crayon on paper
59 x 42 cm

Stern der Musen, 2008
Thomas Helbig

Exhibition view
Kunstverein Oldenburg

Äther, 2007
Thomas Helbig

Lacquer and oil on wood
265 x 208 x 5 cm

Untitled, 2007
Thomas Helbig

Oil crayon on paper
33 x 23 cm

Homo Homini Lupus, 2006
Thomas Helbig

Mixed media
68 x 38 x 60 cm

Homo Homini Lupus II, 2007
Exhibition view
Galerie Guido W. Baudach
Thomas Helbig
Mädchen, 2006
Thomas Helbig

Mixed media
86 x 38 x 29 cm

Frau, 2005
Thomas Helbig

Mixed media
82 x 36 x 40 cm

Maschine, 2005
Thomas Helbig

Oil on wood
205 x 160 cm

Tänzer, 2004
Thomas Helbig

Mixed media
80 x 80 x 50 cm

Aussatz, 2003
Thomas Helbig

Oil on canvas
70 x 50 cm

Hundefrau, 2004
Thomas Helbig

Oil crayon on paper
29 x 21 cm

Ikone, 2002
Thomas Helbig

Oil on canvas, framed
155 x 133 cm

Druidin, 2002
Thomas Helbig

Oil on wood
60 x 50 cm

Braune Welle, 2001
Thomas Helbig

Oil on canvas
185 x 250 cm

ohne Titel, 2001
Thomas Helbig

Mixed media
126 x 65 x 29 cm

lives and works in Berlin

1989-1996 AdBK Munich and Goldsmiths College, London
         
         
Solo Exhibitions

2023
Machines' Trophies, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin

2022
wichtig!, TheView, Vienna

2020
Die Zukunft der Heiligen, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin

2018
Use Your Relatives. Home., Kunstverein Rosenheim, Rosenheim, Germany
Ritratti di donne, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin

2017
Zwischen Hund und Wolf, with Ludek Tahousky, Tschechisches Zentrum Berlin

2016
The Presentation, Polansky Gallery, Prague
In a Present, Galerie Thomas Brambilla, Bergamo, Italy

2015
Morgenröthe, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin

2013
S, Galerie Rüdiger Schöttle, Munich, Germany

2012
The Mental Life of Savages, Galerie Guido W. Baudach (Charlottenburg), Berlin
Form and Fear and Muse, Galerie Diana Stigter, Amsterdam

2011
Quiet Days in Salò, Thomas Brambrilla Contemporary, Bergamo, Italy
Gehirne (with Armin Boehm), Kunstverein Heppenheim E.V., Germany

2010
Use Your Relatives, China Art Objects Gallery, Los Angeles
Thomas Helbig, Jiri Svestka Gallery, Prague
Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin

2009
Mário Sequeira Gallery, Braga, Portugal
WHITE, Galerie Rüdiger Schöttle, Munich, Germany
Viper in Bosom, Vilma Gold, London

2008
Remote Pulse, Bortolami, New York
Complete Birth, Eleni Koroneou Gallery, Athens
Stern der Musen, Kunstverein Oldenburg (cat.), Oldenburg, Germany

2007
Futur, Galerie Rüdiger Schöttle, Munich, Germany
Purgatory. Now., Galerie Diana Stigter, Amsterdam
Homo Homini Lupus II, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin
Homo Homini Lupus, China Art Objects Gallery, Los Angeles

2006
Last World, Bortolami Dayan, New York

2005
Modern Art, London
Rom, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin (cat.)
Galerie Rüdiger Schöttle, Munich, Germany

2004
Südseehausen, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin (cat.)
Galerie Ben Kaufmann, Munich, Germany

2002
Druidin, Menschenraum, Berlin

2001
Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin
Danke, Erwin, Galerie Nomadenoase (Golden Pudel Club), Hamburg, Germany

2000
Die Malerei der Heiden, Montparnasse, Berlin
         
         
Selected Group Exhibitions

2022
MIX & MATCH. Die Sammlung neu entdecken, Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich

2021
THE WORLD:REGLITTERIZED, 5th Biennial in the Haus der Kunst Munich, Germany
Portraits, Galerie Rüdiger Schöttle, Munich, Germany
The Last Terminal: Reflections on the Coming Apocalypse, Rib, Rotterdam

2020
Faces and Names, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin
Aurora noir, treignac projet, treignac, France
Dark Matter, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin
The Last Unicorn, Museum im Prediger, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany

2019
Hymne an die Jungen, Märkisches Museum Witten, Germany
“Where higher beings commanded, …“ - Heinrich Nüsslein & Friends, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin
TEN / contemporary German art from the collection of the Adam Gallery, The Gallery of Fine Arts, Ostrava, Czech Republic

2018
Still Life, Galerie Rüdiger Schöttle, Munich, Germany
Manifestations, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin

2017
Metamorphosis, curated by Zdenek Felix, KAI 10 | Arthena Foundation, Düsseldorf; Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin; Galerie SVIT, Prague

2016
The Big Other, Galerie Tanja Wagner, Berlin

2015
Turn of a Century, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin
Wo ist hier? #2: Raum und Gegenwart. Bildhauerei und Installation seit 2000, Kunstverein Reutlingen, Germany
FRISCH aus Berlin. Einblicke in eine Berliner Privatsammlung, Stadtmuseum Oldenburg (cat.), Germany

2014
Feels Like Heaven, Sommer Contemporary Art, Tel Aviv
Sein und Zeit, Galerie Bernd Kugler, Innsbruck, Austria
Luggage and observations, Galerie Klaus Gerrit Friese, Stuttgart, Germany
Paperworlds, Collectors Room Stiftung Olbricht, Berlin (cat.)

2013
Painting Forever! Keilrahmen, KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin (cat.)
Too Big or Not too Big - Summer Show, Thomas Brambilla, Bergamo, Italy
The Inevitable Figuration, Museo Pecci, Prato, Italy
Vages Gefühl des Unbehagens. Thomas Helbig - Victor Man - Helmut Stallaerts, Museum Dhont-Dhaenens, Deurle, Belgium

2012
Private/Corporate VII, Doron Sebbag Art Collection, O.R.S Ltd., Tel Aviv, and Daimler Art Collection, Daimler Contemporary, Berlin
Alpenrepublik, Kunstraum Innsbruck (cat.), Austria
Collaborations & Interventions, Centro Cultural Andratx, Spain
Accelerating Toward Apocalypse, Doron Sebbag ArtCollection, ORS Ltd., Tel Aviv (cat.)

2011
Gesamtkunstwerk: New Art from Germany, Saatchi Gallery, London (cat.)
Diktatur Charlottenburg, Kosmetiksalon Babette, Berlin
Impossible Vacation, White Flag Projects, St. Louis, USA
a painting show, Autocenter, Berlin
What a serious horror writing a play, Show 3, Kienzle Art Foundation, Berlin

2010
von hier gehen wir, Galerie Matthias Jahn, Munich
Thomas Bambrilla Contemporary Art, Bergamo, Italy
Rod Bianco Gallery invites Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Rod Bianco Gallery, Oslo
Gegen die Form. Informel 1954-2010, Cruise & Callas, Berlin
100th Exhibition, Autocenter, Berlin
Danke Frau Antje, Galerie Diana Stigter, Amsterdam

2009
amor fati, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin
Germania: New Art from Germany, The Saatchi Gallery, London
The Collection of Wilfried & Yannicke Cooreman, Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens, Deurle (cat.), Belgium
Go Sinnlich, Eleni Koroneou Gallery, Athens
Crisscross, Wannieck Gallery, Brno, Czech Republic
1999, China Art Objects Gallery / Cottage Home, Los Angeles
BERLIN2000, PaceWildenstein, New York (cat.)
Underclass Atavism, Galleria Gentili, Prato, Italy

2008
Das zweite Gesicht, Sammlung Südhausbau, Munich, Germany
Mare Humorum 1, Hiromi Yoshii Gallery, Tokyo
No Illusions, Kai 10 / Raum für Kunst, Düsseldorf (cat.), Germany
Emerson vs. Nietzsche, China Art Objects Gallery at Cottage Home, Los Angeles
Red Wind, Blum & Poe, Los Angeles
That’s The Way It Is, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin (cat.)
Son of..., Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tourcoing, Tourcoing (cat.), France
Depletion. Works from the Doron Sebbag ArtCollection, ORS Ltd., Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Tel Aviv (cat.)
Hedwig, Albert Baronian, Brussels
Daydreams & Dark Sides, Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Berlin
Yellow Snow, La Maison Jaune (Patricia Low Contemporary), Gstaad, Switzland

2007
Euro-Centric. Part 1, Rubell Family Collection, Miami (cat.)
XXS (Extra Extra Small), Sommer Contemporary Art, Tel Aviv
return to forever, forever and a day Büro, Berlin
Looking up, Galeria Mário Sequeira, Braga, Portugal
Imagination Becomes Reality, ZKM Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie, Karlsruhe (cat.), Germany
Die Macht des Dinglichen – Skulptur heute!, Georg-Kolbe-Museum, Berlin (cat.)
Kommando Friedrich Hölderlin Berlin, Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin (cat.)
Heretic & Co. – The Golden City, Jiri Svestka, Prague
Gallery swap with Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Hotel, London

2006
Rings of Saturn, Tate Modern, London
Imagination Becomes Reality. Part IV: Borrowed Images, Goetz Collection, Munich (cat.), Germany
Ketzer & Co. – Montage auf der Achse Brünn-Berlin, Haus der Kunst, Brno (cat.), Czech Republic
The Afternoon of a Faun, Eleni Koroneou Gallery, Athens

2005
Papier, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin
Nicht mit Steinen werfen, Galerie Anita Beckers, Frankfurt, Germany

2004
Guido W. Baudach, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin
Kommando Pfannenkuchen, Daniel Hug Gallery, Los Angeles
Maschenmode, Galerie Karl-Heinz Meyer, Karlsruhe, Germany

2003
Im Helbo, Brotherslasher, Cologne (cat.), Germany
Hands up, baby, hands up!, Kunstverein Oldenburg, Germany
Painting on the roof, Museum Abteiberg, Mönchengladbach (cat.), Germany

2002
TIERE, Elternhaus Thomas Palme, Immenstadt im Allgaeu, Germany
FRIEDE, FREIHEIT, FREUDE, Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Berlin
Große Kunstausstellung Sommer 2002 im Pazifik, Pazifik, Berlin
Urwald, Privatwohnung Hajo von Gottberg, Berlin
Schöne Aussicht, Herr Schweins, Galerie Otto Schweins, Cologne, Germany

2001
Viva November, Städtische Galerie Wolfsburg (cat.), Germany
Brown, The Approach, London
Montana Sacra (Circles 5), ZKM, Karlsruhe (cat.), Germany
Im Wandel der Liebe zu uns selbst und des Gesichtssinns im allgemeinen (Deutsch Britische Freundschaft), Maschenmode, Berlin
Cover Versions, The Trade Apartement, London

2000
Die Gefahr im Jazz (Deutsch Britische Freundschaft), Künstlerwohnung Strassburger Strasse, Berlin

1999
26 Heteros, Galerie Linda, Cologne, Germany
Heart & Soul Group Show, Long Lane Studios, London
The proactive seizure of eternity, The Trade Apartement, London

1998
Humdrum Blue, The Trade Apartement, London
Show me the money 3, 8 Dukes - Mews, London
Surfacing - contemporary drawing, ICA, London
Nobody helps anybody (Deutsch Britische Freundschaft), Unit 6/7, London
Printemps (Deutsch Britische Freundschaft), Unit 6/7, London

1997
The Powder Room, Port Betaald, Rotterdam, Netherlands

1996
Percept, Künstlerwerkstatt Lothringer Strasse, Munich, Germany

1994
Kunstverein Munich, Munich, Germany

INTELLIGENCE

Andrew Gilbert  Thomas Helbig  Erwin Kneihsl  + Zeitblom  -  curated by Cora Waschke

1 September–7 October 2023