Nicolai Howalt

Galerie Poller is proud to present Nicoali Howalt's 'Boxer' series, the artist's first solo exhibition at New York

We don't know if the young boxers won or lost. The only information Nicolai Howalt (*1970 København) gives us is: 'Mark Wirenfeld, Dk, 14 years, 5 fights, 57 kg, 2001, still boxing,' as in the example above. But there is much more to know.

The series portrays young boxers the moment before and after the match. A sense of spirit, emotion, expectation and energy characterize the photographs. The double portraits convey the dreams of boyhood, puberty and identity. The boxing match stages a platform for Howalt who otherwise refrains from describing the inner concerns of boxing or the competitive elements of the sport.

Boxing becomes a symbol for the match between fear versus courage, dream versus reality. The photographs highlight the age dividing a boy from being a man and address what it is to be on your own for the first time. Howalt boxed as a teenager and as a consequence he understands that the moments just before and after the match are the most loaded.

The 'Boxer' series: 2000-2003, digital c-print, various sizes, each in an edition of 3: 16"x12" (40x30cm), 23.5"x19.5" (50x60cm), 39.5"x31.5" (100x80cm), 55"x45" (140x115cm).

Nicolai Howalt, born 1970 in København, 1990 – 92 Fotografiske Billedkunstskole - Fatamorgana, Scholarships 2006: Statens kunstFond, Blix Fond, Danish Arts Counsel, 2005 Nominated Deutsche Börse Photography Award 2006; 2004 Nominated for the Leopold Godowsky Jr. Color Photography Award 2005; 2004: Blix Fond "how to hunt", Statens Kunstfond, Kunststyrelsen "how to hunt"; 2002: Hasselbladfonden "boxer".

Pressetext

Nicolai Howalt
Boxer