Paintings: 1936–2008

The approach W1 is pleased to present Paintings: 1936-2008, a group show of historical works by Francis Picabia and René Daniëls alongside contemporary paintings by Rezi van Lankveld, Michael Raedecker, Neal Tait, Andro Wekua and Sam Windett.

In a description of René Daniëls' paintings Jaap Breme noted that he played with the image, ‘combining or concealing meanings, indicating the multifaceted and mutable significance of things'. Describing his own work, René Daniëls, a great admirer of Picabia said they were, ‘a combination of visual poetry on the one hand and painting on the other'. A clear representational narrative runs through Paintings: 1936-2008 but the methodology of and approach to painting is also apparent; here the motif functions as the vehicle and not just the goal.

René Daniëls (born Eindhoven 1950, lives in Eindhoven) has shown extensively internationally, notably a major touring retrospective at Stedelijk Van Abbemuseum 1998; Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg and Kunsthalle Basel 1999. Rezi van Lankveld (born Almelo 1973, lives and works in Amsterdam) has shown at The approach, London and Diana Stigter, Amsterdam (2005) and Friedrich Petzel, New York (2007). A solo show at The approach W1 is scheduled for October 2008. Francis Picabia (1879-1953) shows as part of Duchamp, Man Ray, Picabia at Tate Modern, London in February 2008. Michael Raedecker (born Amsterdam 1963, lives and works in London) has had recent solo exhibitions at Hauser & Wirth, London and Andrea Rosen Gallery, New York and will have his first public institution show at The Camden Arts Centre scheduled for 2009. Neal Tait (born Edinburgh 1965, lives and works in London) has recently shown at White Cube, London and ACME, Los Angeles. Andro Wekua (born 1977 Sokhumi, Georgia, lives and works in Zurich) has shown at Kunstmuseum Winterhur and Galerie Peter Kilchmann, Zurich and has a forthcoming show at Barbara Gladstone Gallery, New York in February 2008. Sam Windett (born Tunbridge1977, lives and works in London) graduated from The Royal College of Art in London in 2005 and is scheduled for a solo exhibition at The approach E2 in March 2008.

We would like to thank Paul Andriesse, Jay Jopling/White Cube, Iwan Wirth, Peter Kilchmann and Philippe Piessens for their help towards making this exhibition possible.

Paintings: 1936–2008
René Daniëls, Rezi van Lankveld, Francis Picabia, Michael Raedecker, Neal Tait, Andro Wekua, Sam Windett