Matthias Beckmann

The work of the German artist Matthias Beckmann (Arnsberg, 1965) is characterised by a very sparing, minimal and linear drawing style. Most of his subjects are inspired very much by institutional architecture as found in museums and churches, and the things that go on in these buildings. This makes Beckmann the perfect artist to suitably depict the museum in an artistic portrait. In spring 2006 the S.M.A.K. invited him to spend two weeks in the museum drawing. He was admitted to every part of the building, from the exhibition rooms to the offices and the storerooms. A selection of these drawings were reproduced in their original format and then published. The result is a refined book containing a drawn ‘portrait’ of the S.M.A.K. Its publication will be accompanied by a presentation of some of the original drawings.

Matthias Beckmann