This exhibition at Belvedere 21 showcases the work of British artist Jonathan Monk, who explores themes of repetition, doubling, and seriality in art. Monk's practice critically engages with conceptual art and minimalism, questioning originality and the art world's mechanisms.
Jonathan Monk's first solo exhibition in Austria, "Limited Company," at Belvedere 21, delves into his artistic strategy of repeating, distorting, and questioning seminal works of conceptual and minimal art. Monk's aesthetic approach oscillates between homage and parody, appropriating art history and its myths to investigate the rules of the exhibition business and the category of originality. Through wall paintings, sculptures, and photographs, he reflects on contemporary art's tendency to function as a pure reference system and demystifies the narrative of art as solely the product of a genius creative process. Responding to the architecture of Belvedere 21, Monk has created a large-scale fabric curtain printed with views of his earlier projects, spanning two sides of the space. This installation carefully selects and relates various series of Monk's works, some obviously, others subtly, creating a dialogue within the exhibition.
The exhibition is curated by Axel Köhne, with Vasilena Stoyanova as assistant curator. Jonathan Monk (born 1969 in Leicester, UK) studied at the Glasgow School of Art and has been exhibiting internationally for over 30 years. His diverse body of work is represented in collections worldwide, and he lives and works in Berlin.
