Leipzig Unfolding

On the thousandth anniversary of Leipzig the Art at Lloyds Club presents Leipzig Unfolding, a group exhibition with artists from one of the oldest art schools in Germany, the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst - (HGB) Leipzig Academy of Visual Arts.

Curated by Lavinia Freitas, Leipzig Unfolding will take over the Lloyds Club Grade II listed building with more than 50 works by 'New Leipzig School' artists and the younger generation of HGB alumni. A heterogeneous mix of paintings, woodcuts, collages, sculpture, photographs and site specific installations most of the works in the exhibition will be shown in the UK for the first time.

Leipzig Unfolding includes a selection of works by Hans Aichinger, Christiane Baumgartner, Tilo Baumgärtel, Famed, Claus Georg Stabe, Henriette Grahnert, Martin Groß, Nadin Maria Rüfenacht, Rosa Loy Steffen Junghans, Falk Messerschmidt, Christoph Ruckhäberle, Annette Schröter, Thomas Sommer and Corinne von Lebusa.

Christoph Ruckhäberle and the art collective Famed have produced works specifically for this exhibition.

Leipzig celebrates its thousand-year anniversary this year. The largest city in Saxony has a notable history with people and events which have changed the world dynamics a few times.

For many centuries the city was a place of trade and erudition highly respected throughout Europe. Goethe, Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, Schumann and Richard Wagner lived in Leipzig. Napoleon Bonaparte learned there his greatest defeat that ultimately led to his exile a few months later. After the Second World War, the city was part of the German Democratic Republic. The Monday demonstrations in Leipzig were the most prominent protests against communism, and led to German reunification and the fall of the communist regimes in Eastern Europe.

The many facets of Leipzig have been unfolding since then. The post-industrial city is thriving. The city cultural scene for many years spreads itself far beyond the boarders of Germany.

Founded in 1764, the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst (HGB) maintains its reputation with its traditional teaching methods and a conservative classical training. Its artists established the 'Leipziger Schule', Leipzig School, in the 60's and, a few generations later, the 'Neue Leipziger Schule', New Leipzig School. Closely tied to each other - the New Leipzig School artists studied under the professorship of either Leipzig School artists or their pupils- the oeuvre of both collectives is marked by a strong figurative element, realistic painterly traditions and the use of allegory.

Leipzig Unfolding brings together New Leipzig artists and a younger generation of HGB artists to London. Once again there is a strong bond between the groups. Many of the younger artists have learned the 'skills of the trade' with their predecessors. Although, this time around, their oeuvres are very diverse.

The curator thanks private collectors, Alan Cristea (London), ASPN Galerie (Leipzig), Campoli Presti (London – Paris), Galerie Kleindienst (Leipzig), Maerzgalerie Leipzig (Leipzig – Berlin) and independent artists for their support of this exhibition.

About The Lloyds Club and Art at Lloyds
A short walk from the Tower of London, nestling in the heart of London’s financial district, The Lloyds Club is housed in a Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse, which was the residence of the French ambassador until the 18th century. The club’s 500 members are active in a wide range of commercial and professional businesses in London and internationally.

Art at Lloyds was launched in 2011 by curator Katie Heller of Patch London. Lavínia Freitas is the Lloyd's Club Art Director and also part of the Patch curatorial collective since 2011. With four exhibitions a year, the programme has shown Old Masters, contemporary established artists and emerging artists. Among the artists whose works have been exhibited at Lloyds are Auguste Rodin, Paul Nash, Louise Bourgeois, Elizabeth Blackadder, Phyllida Barlow, Nan Goldin, Kara Walker, Beatriz Milhares, Rivane Neuenschwander and Carlos Cruz-Diez.

Image Credit: Claus Georg Stabe, Schwindende Sonne II (Dwindling Sun II), 2015, courtesy of the artist and maerzgalerie (Leipzig – Berlin)