Matthias Noggler

Mathias Noggler’s imagery stems from an interest in the visual language of European modernity, and its entanglement with social, artistic and political movements of the time, reflecting cultural and art historical trends and ideological components of iconography and visuality. In particular, socialist realism as well as mural painting, German expressionism and comics can be considered inspirations for his practice, in which he combines various painterly styles and techniques ranging from traditional Folk Art to classical Renaissance compositions, abstract expressionism and Pop Art. In his earlier work, Noggler engaged in figurative depictions of social conflicts and group dynamics, whereas in a newer series of works, he rather addresses spaces of modern collectivization, depicting structures such as building blocks, shopping centers and deserted abstractions of urban architecture in compositions which sometimes dissolve into a complete abstraction of materiality. He thereby reflects on issues as various as individualization and alienation, resulting from the pragmatic, administrative rationalism that is fundamental to the structuring of living and working conditions in late modern consumer societies. An undeniable melancholia is inherent to Noggler’s representation of these seemingly abandoned places. His painting Not Window, Not Wall appears as a labyrinth leading to a black hole, painted in an abstract-geometric formal language akin to constructivism. Formation (Heads) includes more figurative elements, reflecting Noggler’s interest and engagement with protest movements. Drawing on tropes of cubism, the composition evokes a picture puzzle in which one does not yet know what to look for, and is reminiscent of German philosopher and sociologist Georg Simmel’s depictions of the city. At the same time, the Heads in this painting, all similar in their form and style, can alert us to current populist movements seeking a consolidation of power through the suppression of diversity and individuality by a means of bringing into line. Both works use a specific painterly sophistication evoking a melancholic mood in light of the confusion towards an uncertain future.

Not Window, Not Wall, 2024
Gouache and colored pencil on linen
161 × 165,5 cm
Courtesy private collection, Clemens Leopold, Berlin

Formation (Heads), 2023
Gouache on linen
81 × 90 cm
Courtesy private collection, Wolfgang Renner, Vienna