Ignacio Uriarte
b. 1972, Germany
Minimal in their appearance Ignacio Uriarte’s works are deeply rooted in the experience of the seemingly mundane world of offices. Reflecting on his background in business administration, the artist romanticises the world of the workplace, be it through the use of materials commonly found in the workspace or the application of tools that typically occupy them, such as typewriters.
A distinct sense of humour lends the works a playful quality. Always eager to impede the standardised nature of the materials applied. Indeed it is the nuanced manner in which Uriarte’s works on paper, installations and sound pieces engage with the viewer. Keenly aware of persiflage, these works reveal an inherent beauty. In this sense, Uriarte’s practice follows the fundamental principles of European ‘concrete art’ without entertaining its dogmatic nature.