Philip Akkerman and Dennis Koot Collaboration on View in Chelsea

Thu, Mar 21 - Sat, Apr 20  2019

Bravinlee

BravinLee is exhibiting the portraits of Philip Akkerman in collaboration with graphic designer Dennis Koot.  Koot has designed a series of framing elements in reaction to Akkerman’s paintings. The frame is often thought of as a delimiting device.  But in the hands of Koot/Akkerman, the frame behaves like a portal extending the image into a new environmental surreal realm.  Dutch-based Akkerman and Koot will be at the opening on Thursday, March 21st, 6-8pm.

Philip Akkerman and BravinLee’s friendship and collaboration go back to the early days of the 1990s.  Certainly, the obsessional aspect of painting only easel-scaled self-portraits has been a convenient hook to explain and understand his work.  Yet, this is only the jump-off point to understand his life pursuit.  Akkerman says: “The meaning of life is making a self-portrait.  Existence is a blind force, that only through mankind can see and contemplate itself.”

About Philip Akkerman

This is Philip Akkerman’s 6th solo exhibition at BravinLee.  Born in Vaassen (NL) in 1957, Philip Akkerman lives and works in The Hague.  His exhibitions include, 2018  ‘series, series’ Philip Akkerman en Christiaan Kuitwaard, De Ketelfactory, Schiedam,   Akkermania, Kunsthal, Rotterdam in 2011; 2010: Full Frontal, Mummery + Schnelle, London; Am I A Person?, BravinLee Programs, New York; I have become paint, Galerie Polaris, Paris; Nicky’s Schoenen- en Sleutelservice, The Hague. 2008: Mummery+Schnelle, London; Stephane Simoens Contemporary Fine Art (with Tony Matelli), Knokke; Torch Gallery, Amsterdam. 2007: Guido Costa Projects, Torino. 2006: Bob van Orsouw, Zurich; De Hallen, Haarlem.

About Dennis Koot

Graphic designer Dennis Koot worked with Philip Akkerman on several occasions, the most recent is the design of the amazing Het doel van het bestaan is het maken van een zelfportret.  He teaches at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam.