Christoph Ruckhäberle is known for his ability to make scenarios come alive in his drawings, paintings and prints. Scenes and moments which first appear to be flat are transformed through the artist’s use of expressive body language, gestures, and faces. A focus on geometric patterns and shapes, as well as a thoughtful use of colour gives his work a dynamic and contemporary feeling. In a nod to the history and the style of painting in the 20th century, Ruckhäberle places his figures in classical poses from portraiture sittings as well as in the midst of more social situations and gatherings. Portraying scenes with figures dancing, walking, talking, and drinking all come together to create the feeling of movement and to the reinforce the importance the role of the body has within the context of non-verbal communications.

Each work reveals a story, as Christoph Ruckhäberle’s compositions and characters present us with narratives that we are invited to piece together. As such, we are asked to immerse ourselves within each of their worlds, bringing our own perspectives and our own experiences.

Christoph Ruckhäberle (b. 1972, Germany) is widely recognized as one of the most innovative painters of today. He has had exhibitions at Wels Stadtgalerie (Wels), Arken (Ishøj), Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Massachusetts), Sammlung Philara (Dusseldorf), Sammlung-Essl (Klosterneuburg), Museum der bildenden Künste (Leipzig) and Museo Nacional de la Estampa (Mexico City) among many others. His works can be found in numerous collections throughout Europe and North America, including the Museum of Modern Art (New York), Essl Museum – Contemporary Art (Vienna), the Rubell Family Collection (Miami) and Migros museum fur gegenwartskunst (Zurich) among others. Ruckhäberle is also the founder of Lubok Verlag, a publishing house which, over the last ten years, has become known worldwide for its art and graphics books.

carrie emberlyn