GERT & UWE TOBIAS
Untitled, 2016
Colored woodcut on canvas
150 x 130 cm | 59 x 51 in
Untitled, 2018
Colored woodcut on canvas
200 x 168 cm | 78.75 x 66 in
Untitled, 2014
Mixed media on paper
60 x 60 cm | 23.5 x 23.5 in
Untitled, 2016
Glazed ceramic
Unique
125 x 55 x 27 cm | 49.25 x 21.5 x in
Gert and Uwe Tobias (b.1973 in Kronstadt, Brasov, Romania) are twin Romanian artists living and working in Koln, Germany. They graduated from Hochschule fur Bildende Kunste, Braunschweig under Walter Dahn in 2002.
Their works gather inspiration from Eastern European folklore, ranging in mediums such as, woodcutting, ceramics, collage and paintings. Their fascination with myths draws influence from their birthplace and especially the myth of Dracula. After seeing the legend spread from their home country to across Europe, due to Bram Stoker's adaptation of the story, they also became aware of the effects pop culture has on distorting reality. The twins share living space together, the arrangement mirroring that of the 17th century fairy tale writers, the brothers Grimm.
Their typewriter drawings (created by feeding a split black and red ribbon through a typewriter) and collages juxtapose images from fashion magazines and newspaper clippings, marking the union of old and new. It shows the breadth of influence, from pop culture to folklore and Eastern European vernacular crafts. The brother's joint love of woodcarvings has inspired them to develop a new approach to the medium. Rather than carving into a wooden block, the Tobias cut out individual shapes. They then use a roller to apply ink, layering paint onto the canvas with their hands and feet. The imagery produced communicates a narrative rich with ghoulish characters that take asymmetrical forms and are rendered in bold colors and patterns.
The artists create their work individually, yet conceive them together. The ideas flow between their individual creative minds, however the dialogue challenges the collaborative process and is essential for the final result.
