Wilhelm Sasnal

2002

Film, 40.5 x 40 cm.
Materials: oil, canvas

Collection: Collection M HKA, Antwerp / Collection Flemish Community (Inv. no. BK007342).

Yellow, rather strange shapes balance in these two paintings on a sort of palisade against a black background. The images seem abstract, but at the same time are reminiscent of landscapes. It is the title that brings clarity: these are sea mines. Wilhelm Sasnal starts with elements drawn from reality and transforms them into new images. They may be usual, everyday images, or equally they may be (literally) loaded images as the case with these mines. His subjects are often isolated, they float in a void. It seems like they’ve been interrupted, as though their movement was suddenly halted and they are now waiting for a sequel. Wilhelm Sasnal’s visual language is raw and creates unease. His subjective view of the world brings reality closer. Via his utterly personal stance, reality comes over as sharp and clear in the crosshairs. His works hover between an evident reference to reality on the one hand, and his own subjective reality on the other.