![Stephan Balkenhol, Frau (2020); Da Capo at Thaddaeus Ropac Salzburg Villa Kast 2020](https://artlogic-res.cloudinary.com/w_1680,h_1680,c_limit,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto:good/ws-ropac/usr/images/artworks/main_image/items/2d/2dbc316d17964bc190bc4f9c63a1c1d8/sb_1327_300dpi.jpg)
Stephan Balkenhol Frau, 2020
Known for his wooden sculptures, Stephan Balkenhol carves his figures with a mallet and a chisel directly from tree trunks, often made of wawa wood, without trying to erase the traces left by the tools. This unique technique creates a feeling of individuality that is specific to each sculpture, further reinforced by the colours chosen to structure and animate the figure. In Frau (2020), a contemporary woman is dressed in her everyday attire and rendered with enough detail to almost suggest three-dimensional portraiture. However, showing no signs of emotion and bearing no socio-critical references, her presence transcends the specifics of any narrative to welcome a more existential meaning.