Masson Les Vieux Souliers 1942, Oil on canvas, 60x73cm

After a furious begin of the New Year with the successful launch of its first branch in Seoul, DIE GALERIE is pleased to announce its participation in Art Chicago 2009, The International Fair of Contemporary and Modern Art, to be held at Merchandise Mart Chicago from May 1 through May 4, 2009, with high-quality works of modern and contemporary art.

In the field of Modern Art DIE GALERIE is pleased to show highest quality exhibits by the 20th century modern masters Marc Chagall, Max Ernst and André Masson, as for example Masson’s important painting "Les vieux souliers" from 1944 that is characterised by an explosive chromaticity, powerfully erupting from the dark.

Forced by the Second World War the artist had immigrated to the USA after staying on Martinique for several months. According to his own descriptions, the intense colours of nature in the surrounding area impressed Masson greatly.

In his opinion he did not turn away from surrealism but found a new language for his principles. His mythology of nature, the telluric and cosmic becoming and passing by, is predicated on these experiences.

The subject and title refer to a painting by Vincent van Gogh, "Les Souliers," dated 1887, which Masson might have seen at the Baltimore Museum of Art. However, Masson transformed Van Gogh’s shoes to moving abstract beings in front of cosmic natural forces.

DIE GALERIE will also be dedicating a presentation to her second gallery emphasis with the internationally well-known artist group CoBrA as we will show important works by Pierre Alechinsky, Karel Appel, Asger Jorn and Corneille. Be curious to see for example the impressing, large-sized painting Head in the Mountains by Karel Appel, created in 1960.

On the occasion of the opening of the new branch of DIE GALERIE in Seoul on February 6, 2009 there will be a special show of the internationally well-established contemporary Korean artists Kim Tschang Yeul (*1929), Kwun Sun Cheol (*1944), and Kang Ik-Joong (*1961).

After the great response by the American art public last year, DIE GALERIE will present also new virtuosic figurative paintings by the most renowned German artist Volker Stelzmann (*1940), as for example the impressing work "Die Treppe" (The Stairs), created in 2008, that reflects the whole arsenal of his typical characters, from the weird contemporary to the nearly timeless biblical figures. Only on the second view the assumed simple conglomeration of figures emerges as a subtle network of relations – speechless faces, but eloquent gestures.

The artist’s works will also be included in the Partisan exhibition curated by Mary Jane Jacob during Art Chicago.

Last but not least DIE GALERIE is dedicating huge space to the important genre sculpture and will show fascinating bronzes by the German sculptor Dietrich Klinge as well as sculptures by the worldwide renowned Polish artist Igor Mitoraj (*1944), whose work occupies a commanding position in contemporary art.

It is noted for its devotion to the ideals of western culture that reached its perfection in the art of ancient Greece. The strength, charm, beauty and elegance of the heroes from mythology and history epitomise the principles of ancient philosophy and art.

The official opening of ART CHICAGO 2009 is taking place on April 30, 2009 from 6 to 9 pm.

DIE GALERIE's booth is No. 12-521 at the Merchandise Mart Chicago.

For further information contact DIE GALERIE, Ms. Maren Kirchhoff, by phone +49 (0)69 971 471 10 or by e-mail to maren.kirchhoff@die-galerie.com.