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Henri Preiss Sold at Auction Prices

b. 1973 -

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Sep. 20, 2019
Henri Preiss ( 1973, Latvia - U.S.), "No. 402.", 2018., Acrylic on wood, 101 x101cm.
Est: €15,000 - €20,000
Henri Preiss ( 1973, Latvia - U.S.), "No. 402.", 2018., Acrylic on wood, 101 x101cm.
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Sep. 20, 2019
Henri Preiss ( 1973, Latvia - U.S.), "No. 347.", 2012., Acrylic on wood, 105 x107cm.
Est: €15,000 - €20,000
Henri Preiss ( 1973, Latvia - U.S.), "No. 347.",2012., Acrylic on wood, 105 x107cm. Signed lower right. Henri Preiss finds his inspiration in urban architecture and its layers of history. He is specifically interested in the monumental ideas and concepts which underpin the great city structures and the reality of their inherent chaos and decay. This fundamentally informs the composition of work and how each piece and each element of each piece sits (un)comfortably beside and/or within one another. By examining a very broad framework of art history to identify common elements (motifs, compositions, color schemes and symbolism) that arise time and again over the centuries and throughout seemingly disparate and disconnected cultures. Once identified, the artist can abstract this language down to its most basic visual components, and then recombine them into complex, multi-layered pieces that aim to tap into the archetypal visual and aesthetic language. Geometric patterning has been used throughout history – from Islamic and Hindu temples to medieval manuscripts and Masonic heralds – to signify spiritual power. In the past, this power and how it has been represented in art, was often appropriated for political means through the relationships between church and state. In modern times, religion became less important and political ideologies became affiliated with art that represented progressive values. In Russia, the Constructivists were associated with communism because their abstract designs envisioned art for the people. This movement is an important reference point for the artist. His work engages with the history of abstraction and patterning as a utopian ideal. The weathered appearance of the artist’s paintings makes them look like historical artefacts, but they also seem very contemporary. His artistic process is very laborious and physical, and each painting takes about one month to complete. The pumice-like textures of his paintings are made by scratching and sanding the surface with etching and power tools. Henri Preiss was born in 1973 in Riga, Latvia. He has obtained a BA degree in Scenography at the Art Academy of Latvia (1996), Professional degree in Scenography (Art Academy of Latvia, 1998) and MA degree in Scenography (Central Saint Martins, 2001). Henri Preiss been exhibiting his works since 1995, has appeared on HOT-ONE-HUNDRED, a show of 100 emerging contemporary artists based in the U.K (2013), Thames & Hudson Publication “100 Painters of Tomorrow” by Kurt Beers (2015), Elephant, contemporary art and visual art magazine (autumn 2010). Also, has been nominated for Purvītis Prize (2015, Latvia). His works can be found in Saatchi Collection (London), KIA (Seoul), Jain Collection (New Delhi), University of the Arts (London) and private collections worldwide.
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