de boer (Antwerp) is delighted to announce Cabinet Pictures, a series of new paintings by the renowned multidisciplinary artist Tim Hawkinson. Opening on 13 September, 2024, the exhibition marks Hawkinson’s inaugural presentation of paintings at de boer introducing a compelling evolution of his artistic practice from intricate and monumental sculptures to evocative, photorealistic paintings.

Tim Hawkinson is known for his groundbreaking installations and sculptures that blend mechanical ingenuity with profound thematic exploration. His new series, Cabinet Pictures, continues this tradition, in the realm of painting. This exhibition showcases small-scale oil paintings on panels, each meticulously crafted to reveal the subtle and often overlooked details of daily life. Through a distinctive photorealistic style, Hawkinson captures the ephemeral nuances of ordinary moments, imbuing the captured moments with a sense of depth and introspection.

Cabinet Pictures delves into themes that are central to Hawkinson’s broader oeuvre, including the passage of time, mortality, and corporeality. The paintings are characterized by their at once vibrant yet subdued color palettes, reflecting the rich hues of modern existence while layering a contemplative gray tone that invites the viewer to pause and reflect. The result is a series of works that are both contemporary and timeless, resonating with the fleeting nature of human experience while suggesting an eternal quality. Cabinet Pictures not only highlights Tim Hawkinson’s remarkable artistic evolution but also underscores his ability to bridge the gap between conceptual rigor and emotional resonance. In translating his sculptural precision into painting, Hawkinson offers a new dimension of his artistic vision, inviting audiences to engage with his work in new and meaningful ways.

Among the highlights of the exhibition are striking self-portraits such as Venis Pano and Turlock Hotel Self-Portrait. These paintings engage in an ongoing exploration of identity, with the artist’s own body serving as both subject and object. Hawkinson’s self-portraits are a profound examination of selfhood, blending personal introspection with universal themes. The exhibition also features intimate portrayals of Hawkinson’s family members and friends in everyday American settings. Notable is Dad Cutting His Toenails, a poignant depiction of the artist’s father in a simple yet vulnerable moment. This painting exemplifies Hawkinson’s remarkable ability to transform the mundane into the extraordinary, uncovering deep meaning in the seemingly ordinary.

Tim Hawkinson (b. 1960, San Francisco, CA) lives and works in Los Angeles, CA. Hawkinson’s newest body of work finds sanctuary in painting, highlighting profoundly personal and intimate moments from life. The small-scale paintings in oil on panels created in a photo-realistic style operate as narrative vignettes that highlight the absurdity of the everyday. The work continues the artist's obsession with life, death, and the passage of time. In 2005, the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art hosted a major mid-career retrospective of the artist’s work. He has also participated in significant group exhibitions, including Fantasy Underfoot: The 47th Biennial Exhibition at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. (2003); the Whitney Biennial (2002); and the Venice Biennale (1999). His work is in numerous prestigious public collections, including the Contemporary Museum, Honolulu; J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles; Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego; and Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. In 2015, he was awarded the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship for Fine Art, which recognizes artists who have demonstrated exceptional creative ability in the arts.

Artists: Tim Hawkinson