Gallery Rosenfeld presents the latest works by Spanish artist Enrique Brinkmann, a visionary still creating some of the most dynamic pieces of his career at 85. Known for his lush, spatula-applied palettes, Brinkmann’s work exudes a vitality that defies both age and expectation.
Brinkmann’s six-decade-long career began in the late 1950s during Spain’s Francoist regime, where his artistic expression was limited to black and white. It wasn’t until 1975, after Franco’s fall, that he embraced color, leading to a vibrant period of surrealist-inspired paintings over the next 15 years. Although these works achieved commercial success, Brinkmann, always pursuing reinvention, shifted back to a minimalist black-and-white approach, experimenting with metal mesh as a surface. This innovative technique allowed for an intriguing play of light and shadow as it passed through the mesh’s transparency.
From 1998 to 2006, Brinkmann pushed the boundaries of this method further, painting on both sides of the mesh to create three-dimensional effects. His fascination with blending 2D and 3D elements became a hallmark of his later work. Yet, the allure of color drew him back, and inspired by archaeology, Brinkmann began the “Cambrico” series, evoking the ancient Palaeozoic era, with layers of paint suggesting hidden depths beneath the surface.
In 2014, Brinkmann moved away from mesh to focus on large-scale drawing, amplifying his intricate line work without sacrificing the precision for which he’s known. Today, he embarks on yet another phase—his newest abstract works are richly colored, applied with a scalpel, and possess a sculptural quality that radiates energy.
Echoing the vibrant later works of fellow Malagueño Picasso, Brinkmann’s recent pieces pulse with life and complexity. Visitors to Gallery Rosenfeld will also have the opportunity to explore a newly published three-volume catalogue raisonné, capturing the full scope of his remarkable career.
With every new work, Brinkmann continues to surprise, inspiring through his unyielding dedication to his vision. His artistry defies easy interpretation, but for those willing to explore, it offers an endless source of discovery and admiration
The exhibition runs through to September 20.
All images courtesy the artist and Rosenfeld.
