Georg Baselitz: The Last Decade Exhibition at SSM

Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum – SSM proudly hosts an exhibition by one of the foremost figures of contemporary art, the German painter, sculptor, and graphic artist Georg Baselitz.

Kübra Nur Nilüfer – Culture & Art Editor

Sponsored by Akbank Sanat, the exhibition titled *”Georg Baselitz: The Last Decade”* showcases the monumental works created by the 86-year-old artist over the last ten years. Spanning all the gallery spaces and gardens of the museum, the exhibition illuminates Baselitz’s 65-year-long career. The show is curated by Sir Norman Rosenthal, a long-time friend of Baselitz since the late 1970s.

The Artist’s Life Reflected in His Work 

Baselitz’s exploration of various techniques since the 1950s, which reflect his childhood memories of Deutschbaselitz, is evident in his iconic eagle motif, featured in a series against blue backdrops. The final painting of this series, completed in 2024, is being unveiled for the first time at this exhibition. The deer motif, which the artist has depicted since his youth, reappears as part of the mythological iconography that has shaped his works from the beginning of his career. Just as Picasso used the bull as a personal symbol, Baselitz incorporates these animals as self-portraits in his art. Alongside these animal figures, visitors will encounter a variety of self-portraits and portraits of his wife Elke.

One of the exhibition’s highlights, the *Springtime* series, features upside-down figures adorned with nylon stockings, drawing inspiration from Dada collage artist Hannah Höch. These works emphasize the fragility of the material and underscore the transient nature of time. The monumental sculptures displayed in the museum’s galleries and gardens complement the iconography and historical themes found in Baselitz’s paintings.

A New Perspective on Contemporary Art

Since 1969, Baselitz has employed his signature upside-down composition technique, which symbolizes his unique worldview. As curator Sir Norman Rosenthal notes, this technique helps to clarify the balance between abstraction as a technique and the meaning abstraction conveys.

Born at the onset of World War II, Baselitz’s life and works are deeply marked by the impact of war. His creations are shaped by both his personal experiences and Germany’s collective trauma, particularly the remnants of the Nazi era in the nation’s collective memory. Since the 1980s, Baselitz has left a profound imprint on the international art world, bringing a new identity to German art in the latter half of the 20th century.

Simultaneous Exhibition at Akbank Sanat

“Georg Baselitz: The Last Decade” will be on display at Sakıp Sabancı Museum until February 2, 2025. A comprehensive selection of the artist’s prints is concurrently exhibited at Akbank Sanat.