„How much better is silence; the coffee-cup, the table. (…) Let me sit here forever with bare things, this coffee-cup, this knife, this fork, things in themselves, myself being myself.“ — Virginia Woolf, The Waves

‍At a time when the world feels increasingly chaotic - politically, socially, environmentally - Bare Things is an invitation to pause and reconsider the quiet, often overlooked moments of everyday life. In an era of excess, crisis, and uncertainty, there is a radical power in turning our attention to the ordinary: the weight of a cup in our hands, the play of light on a kitchen table, the unspoken intimacy of daily rituals.

This exhibition calls on artists to explore the magic hidden in the mundane, to uncover the poetry of stillness, and to reclaim the domestic as a space of contemplation, resistance, and quiet beauty. Bare Things is not about retreating from reality, but about finding depth in simplicity. The routine, the seemingly unremarkable: these are the things that hold us, shape us, and tether us to life when everything else feels uncertain. In a world that demands so much of us, paying attention to the smallest details can be an act of defiance, an assertion of presence, a return to what truly matters.

Nils Ben Brahim, born in 1999 in Berlin, is an artist known for capturing human subjects in momentary snapshots, often in close-up. His portraits explore the complexities of human expression, offering fleeting glimpses into emotions. Brahim’s paintings are characterized by their ability to freeze moments of vulnerability, inviting the viewer to reflect on the intensity of the here and now. Since 2020, he has been studying at the University of the Arts Berlin under Prof. Thomas Zipp. Brahim has been shown in group exhibitions, as well as solo exhibitions such as Dog Days in the Hasenheide, at the Miettinen Collection (Berlin, 2024).

Radosław Chorab, born in 2000 and based in Katowice, Poland explores the delicate balance between presence and absence through his art. Oscillating between figuration and abstraction, Chorab’s layered textures and distorted figures explore themes of memory, loss, and the fragility of the body. His paintings – marked by erasure and distortion – invite us to consider what is often overlooked, forgotten, or left unsaid. Exhibitions such as Re-recovery in Katowice and MNFST in Warsaw, highlight his exploration of the quiet beauty and melancholy that resides in absence, memory, and the spaces between.

Eiko G., an Austrian-born artist, is known for his atmospheric and melancholic works that evoke vulnerability and truth, drawing from his personal experiences and highlighting fleeting moments of daily life. With palpable sensibility to both emotion and material, Eiko G. allows raw canvas to peek through his paint, merging figures and landscapes into dreamlike, evocative scenes. His works have been featured in solo and group exhibitions across Europe, Mexico, and the United States, including shows at Harkawik in Los Angeles and Art Cologne. Eiko G., who lives and works in Vienna, first exhibited in Düsseldorf in 2019 at the group show Taking Root at KIT.

Eva Haupt is a German painter based in Düsseldorf, whose expressive and intuitive approach to painting blends figuration with abstraction. Her works capture a sense of movement and transformation, with gestural brushstrokes and bold color contrasts creating dreamlike scenes that suggest a quiet dance between figures and their surroundings. Embracing spontaneity, she allows the unpredictability of paint to shape her compositions, resulting in emotionally charged imagery. A graduate of the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, where she studied under Prof. Siegfried Anzinger, she has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows across Germany and internationally, including the Kunstsammlung NRW – K21.

Heidrun Rathgeb is a German-born artist celebrated for her intimate and contemplative works that capture the beauty of everyday moments. Her paintings and prints, often created with egg tempera on gesso panels or using traditional printmaking techniques, explore themes of wonder, innocence, and the quiet epiphanies of daily life. Rathgeb’s practice is rooted in a deep connection to her surroundings, from the landscapes of Lake Constance and the Alps to the small moments of domestic life. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including solo shows at 532 Gallery in New York and John Martin Gallery in London. 

Wolfgang Guenther, born in 1990 in Munich, is an artist known for his dynamic approach to drawing and painting. His work effortlessly blends figurative imagery and abstract compositions, creating dreamlike worlds that reflect on daily life. Guenther’s creative approach balances contemplation and spontaneity, using techniques such as using very liquid paint and rotating canvases during his work process to create unique surfaces. His signature style merges playful, childlike elements with a subtle sense of humor, exploring both vivid and muted color palettes. Guenther has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows, at locations such as the Emde Gallery Mainz or Kunstsammlung Zwickau.