Gert & Uwe Tobias: Symønster

In the works on display, the reduced geometric shapes such as circles and arabesques from the artists' repertoire of woodcut stencils are reused and rearranged in unpredictable ways, creating a dynamic interplay between rigor and chance. Simultaneously, the cutting, layering, and overprinting of elements – along with the reuse of archival materials and fragments – evokes the structure and function of sewing patterns, where sections are cut, arranged, and repurposed to form new compositions.

In Symønster, Gert & Uwe Tobias continue their exploration of traditional techniques through a twenty-first-century lens, engaging in an ongoing dialogue with art history. This new body of work draws on the traditions of collage and abstraction, resonating with the techniques of pioneers like Kurt Schwitters and Sophie Taeuber-Arp, as well as the geometric precision of Constructivism. These references form the foundation for the recurring shapes and detailed layering that define the pieces on view, reflecting the avant-garde's exploration of structure and material.

At the same time, the artists infuse these modernist traditions with personal and cultural references, deeply embedded in their distinctive visual language. By incorporating wooden stencils and form fragments from their earlier woodcuts – works that primarily depict folkloric motifs, symbols, and patterns tied to their Transylvanian heritage – they draw upon their cultural identity while operating within the field of abstraction.

Weaving these elements together, Gert and Uwe Tobias create complex, multi-layered narratives. While their approach to form, repetition, and chance is grounded in the avant-garde and abstraction, they maintain a distinct cultural identity and a contemporary sensibility.

In parallel with Symønster, Gert & Uwe Tobias' work will be featured in a solo exhibition at Kunsthalle Tuebingen, opening on November 8. Their works have been exhibited in numerous museums worldwide, including solo exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art, New York; Kunsthalle Recklinghausen; Sprengel Museum, Hanover; Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich; Whitechapel Gallery, London; Collezione Maramotti, Reggio Emilia; Kunstmuseum Bonn; and the UCLA Hammer Museum of Art, Los Angeles.