"Zimmerer"

When it comes to transforming political capital into artistic capital, Wolfgang Tillmans plays with camouflage and distinctions. In his draperies and seemingly randomly found still lifes, he celebrates the principle of attributability to various contexts (art, fashion, politics), which is an important feature of his work. Dispensing with suggestions of personality, narrative, and milieu, he transforms the anecdotal moment into a formal one without losing the sexual and often gay connotations associated with the presentation of the material. In consequence, the drapery remains interesting to different groups of recipients both within and outside the art context.
The work Zimmerer from 1996 is an iconic example from Wolfgang Tillmans' early work phases. It draws attention to textiles and structures, in this case a pair of jeans, which Tillmans captures with his characteristic sensitivity for form and materiality. The photograph conveys a sculptural quality that is reinforced by the subtle lighting and the intimate composition. At the same time, the work can be understood as an extension or reference to his portraits, as themes such as closeness, intimacy and vulnerability are also subtly negotiated here. The work shows Tillmann's unmistakable style and underlines his formative role in contemporary art.
(Gallery Meyer-Kainer, Vienna)