Kristof Santy’s new playful attempts - “Epinal”

Emerging Artist Series (Vienna)
Where: Christine König Galerie, Vienna, AT
When: April 4- May 18, 2024
Reviewed by: Hilary Tsui

When I first saw Kristof Santy’s work on the gallery’s Instagram, I was so intrigued that I ran straight to the gallery the next day to catch a glimpse of this fast emerging Belgian artist’s current show in Vienna.

As I walked in, each small Instagram tile image has all turned into almost 2m-sized paintings! The vibrant colors and the details of everyday objects, now all morphed into a monumental status, as if to celebrate their own existence. Each piece exudes incredibly vibrant energy through its colors and details. 

Taking a closer look at each painting, which is almost like a snapshot from an everyday scene of our home: a work desk, with a blank notebook, a lamp, and stationery; a vase with a beautiful bouquet in full blossom sitting behind a water sprayer; a corner from the dressing room with makeup items, lotion and a vanity kit; a well-plated dish. All from our mundane everyday life, yet they all seem to come alive!

Then slowly, my eyes started to register the layers of details, texture and the subtle humor in each piece. The pictorial composition is incredibly dense, as if you are watching different scenes of a movie in one go. The mundane everyday objects seem to quietly reclaiming life of their own, telling you their story bit by bit.

I finally realized what has drawn me to his work in the first place, putting aside the fantastical mix of art historical resemblance that his paintings remind us of - from Flemish expressionism, the strong contour of cubism, coupled with a plain postmodern graphic style and the flair of pop art. Looking at his paintings is like having a 5-course art history meal.

However, what really captures me is how his work actually speaks to the viewer. His still lifes are not closed off, neither try to please, nor attempt to be overtly conceptual, that they end up standing only on their own pedestal. All the works have their own little character and unfold slowly, sometimes with humor, as you approach them.

Even though the paintings are filled with bulky details, yet the skillful use of colors and the careful arrangement allow enough space for viewers to want to linger longer and look deeper. It is really the contrast in his work that made it interesting - its straight forwardness, yet nuanced; dense yet spacious; dated yet new; mundane yet composed, reserved yet fun.

After years of not giving up on his artistic pursue despite circumstances and keep practicing painting through learning from art history books, Santy seems to have developed his own distinctive pictorial style, ready to participate in the centuries-old discourse on still life. (HT)

Fourchette. 2024. Oil on canvas. 180 x 180 cm
Image courtesy: Christine König Galerie & Kristof Santy

Left: Wijnfles. 160x70cm. Right: Tube. 240x100cm
Photo by: CT Arts

Schmink. 2024. Oil on canvas. 200 x 180 cm
Image courtesy: Christine König Galerie & Kristof Santy

Bloemstuk met handspuit. 2024. Oil on canvas. 180 x 150 cm
Image courtesy: Christine König Galerie & Kristof Santy

Bureau. 2024. Oil on canvas. 200 x 180 cm
Image courtesy: Christine König Galerie & Kristof Santy

Exhibition View. Series: Cours de Dessin. Photo by: CT Arts

Cours De Dessin 2024. #65. #69. #63. #50. #71. Serie 2 #12.
Pencil and Wax on 130 gram simili japon paper
Image courtesy: Christine König Galerie & Kristof Santy