DUSSELDORF.- Beck & Eggeling presents the first solo show of Hartmut Neumann in the gallery in Düsseldorf. The exhibition (5th June - 3rd August 2013) is focused on paintings, drawings and photographs.

Hartmut Neumann constructs with his works a highly innate world: His works lead the observer away into a micro- and macrocosm which at first glance appears safe and harmonious but at closer inspection reveals sinister abysses. In his picture language elements of reality, the unconscious, mythology and coincidence collide to enter into a disconcerting symbiosis. With glowing colours and bleak backgrounds Hartmut Neumann opens up a vision of the infinite.

He thereby presents an abstract, sculptural, utopian and staged view on nature. The almost inexhaustible abundance of forms is borne by the idea of the chamber of art and curiosities where "artificialia" and "naturalia" were closely interlocked, like in a microcosm of the universe. Neumann's mysterious process of creation is characterised by opulence and an exuberant wealth of detail. It is a hermetic place, far away from any place that can be experienced in reality. Though this artificial nature seems to be beyond any comparison. He invents a new law for nature derived from painting. The development of artificiality as nature and of nature as artefact accounts for Hartmut Neumann's singular position within the contemporary art world.

Hartmut Neumann (*1954 in Delmenhorst) studied at the Hochschule der Künste in Bremen. He has been professor at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Braunschweig since 1992. He was awarded several awards and grants early on, such as that of the Villa Massimo, Rome (1985/86); the Kunstpreis des Deutschen Künstlerbundes (art award of the German artist's union), Berlin (1988), art award „Junger Westen“, Recklinghausen (1983). Neumann has shown many solo and group exhibitions, among others at the following renowned institutes (selection), solo shows: Alfred Ehrhardt-Stiftung, Berlin (2012); Kunsthalle Recklinghausen and Kunstmuseum Celle (2011); Forum Kunst, Rottweil (2009); Württembergischer Kunstverein, Stuttgart and Kunstmuseum Bochum (2004); Herzog-Anton-Ulrich Museum, Braunschweig (2003); Von der Heydt-Museum, Wuppertal (2000); Ludwig Forum Aachen (1998).

Hartmut Neumann lives and works in Cologne.