COLOGNE.- A new art exhibition, "Slumbering Desire," opened on March 29, 2025, at the Rehbein Galerie in Cologne, Germany, marking the gallery's inauguration of its new space. The show thoughtfully pairs the works of two artists from different generations: the late Heinz Breloh (1940–2001) and the contemporary Eden Nael Liedtke (born 1997). While separated by decades, the exhibition draws a compelling connection between their artistic explorations of the human body as a site of transformation, identity, and expression.

"Slumbering Desire," as the title suggests, delves into themes of latent longing and the unfolding of self. Breloh, whose work largely remained outside discussions of his sexuality during his lifetime, explored the relationship between physical form and material through drawings and sculptures. His pieces examine the interplay of movement and medium, often bearing the direct imprint of his physical engagement with the materials.

In contrast, Liedtke's drawings are intensely focused on his personal journey of gender identity. His art serves as a visual diary, documenting the complex and often challenging process of aligning his physical self with his internal sense of being. The works depict multifaceted metamorphoses, capturing moments of pain, change, empowerment, and liberation.

Despite their different approaches, a striking resonance emerges. Breloh's tactile engagement with materials, leaving traces of his body on the artwork, mirrors Liedtke's body as both the subject and the witness of his own transformation. The exhibition highlights how both artists, through their respective mediums, convey the body as more than just a physical form. Instead, it becomes a space where inner desires and developing identities find their voice and outward expression.

The exhibition features Breloh's sculptures and overpainted photographs and graphics, alongside Liedtke's intimate, diary-like drawings. The pairing invites viewers to consider how the body, across different experiences and artistic perspectives, functions as a medium for understanding and articulating the complexities of human existence.

"Slumbering Desire" is on view at the Rehbein Galerie in Cologne, Germany and promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of shared human experiences through the lens of two distinct artistic voices. An essay by Elisa Mosch provides further context for the exhibition's themes.