Conduit Gallery will present a solo exhibition of new work by German-born, Dallas-based artist, Reinhard Ziegler. This latest series introduces a sense of otherness to his treatment of landscape and explores the possibility of metaphorical content.

Landscape has been an enduring theme and passion of Ziegler’s for over three decades. Earlier work presented scenes in precise detail, depicting nature “as it is”, providing the opportunity to spend extended time with moments that are normally fleeting. This most recent work is comprised primarily of painting using carbon black acrylic on watercolor paper as well as photographic digital prints. The paintings are literal translations of photographs taken in the snowbound, volcanic lands of Norway and Alaska. They mark a move to a further level of abstraction, reflecting a desire to reveal the bare essence or underlying spirit of places that are somewhat “unplaceable”. Rock, snow and sky merge into seamless, flat vistas. Land, horizon and scale are rendered as ambiguous, two-dimensional patterns. While fully realistic, these pared down images take on a mysterious, Rorschach-like quality. What remains are only the essential elements of each scene: extremes of black and white. An unknown landscape is an unknown place.

Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on view through February 17.