"Our work is not confined to a single medium or style; instead, it is an ever-evolving investigation into the relationship between colour, form, texture, and meaning."
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Preface of Color by Overprinting, Donald E. Cooke, 1955
“The science and study of color have many ramifications, but no aspect is more fascinating than the art of printing.”
“The science and study of color have many ramifications, but no aspect is more fascinating than the art of printing.”
We have been exploring screen printing for over 20 years. In our quest to test and push the boundaries of this medium, we have begun deconstructing its conventions, techniques, and formal structures. This particular untitled, unique book features an original monotype on each page, blurring the line between printing and painting. Since Malevich's Black Square, monochrome has held a strong historical tradition in painting, while in printmaking, the practice remains largely anecdotal.
With this in mind, we approached the monochromes in this book as paintings, where intentional accidents, overlaps, and smudges play a significant role. We used screens and squeegees much like a painter uses a brush, playfully experimenting and revisiting color theory. Each “image” was built layer by layer—adding, erasing, covering, printing light over dark colors, and playing with transparencies—until the monotype achieved the desired depth, intensity, and complexity.
In their abstraction, formalism, and chromatic interest, our series of monotypes nod to the vacuum-sealed aesthetics of minimalism while carrying a wealth of Duchampian allusions, consciously balancing between good and bad taste. One might even ask: Is "less is more" still relevant in the face of a dayglow monochrome?
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Christian Gfeller and Anna Hellsgård are a French-Swedish artist duo renowned for their vibrant and innovative contributions to contemporary printmaking, particularly through their work in screen printing. Their artistic journey began with the foundation of the art collective and publishing platform Bongoût, which played a crucial role in their development and influence in the DIY book making scene.
Bongout started in Strasbourg in 1995, initially as a small artist collective with a screen printing studio and publishing house. The name "Bongoût," a playful twist on "bon goût" (good taste in French), reflected their irreverent and experimental approach to art. The duo started to work together in 2001 and quickly made a name for themselves by creating eye-catching gig posters, record covers, and artist books. Their work often featured bold colors, abstract forms, and a punk-influenced aesthetic, blending elements of pop culture, comic art, and fine art.
During the Bongoût period, Gfeller and Hellsgård collaborated with a wide range of musicians and bands, producing unique visual identities that were both striking and memorable. Their gig posters became particularly sought after, not just as promotional materials but as collectible art pieces in their own right. They also designed record covers, which further solidified their reputation in the music and art scenes.
In 2004, the duo relocated to Berlin, a city known for its vibrant and diverse art scene. This move allowed them to expand their practice and engage with a broader community of artists and art enthusiasts. In Berlin, Bongoût continued to thrive, hosting exhibitions and collaborating with other artists, while also serving as a hub for experimental and independent publishing.
As their careers progressed, Christian Gfeller and Anna Hellsgård shifted from their roots in gig posters, record covers and DIY punk zines to broader artistic pursuits. They began focusing more on artist books and contemporary printmaking, exploring new techniques and themes. Their work became increasingly abstract and conceptual, yet retained the vibrant and dynamic qualities that had characterized their earlier output.
The duo's artistic evolution is marked by a constant exploration of the possibilities of screen printing, pushing the boundaries of the medium. They have developed a distinctive style characterized by layered textures, vibrant colors, and an interplay of geometric shapes and organic forms. Their artist books are particularly notable for their craftsmanship and innovative use of materials, often blurring the lines between art and design.
Today, Gfeller and Hellsgård are recognized as significant figures in the contemporary printmaking world. They continue to create and exhibit work internationally, with their pieces featured in various public institutions and galleries. The duo's practice now encompasses a wide range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, and installation art. Their recent projects often explore themes of abstraction, color theory, and the materiality of printmaking.
Christian Gfeller and Anna Hellsgård's influence extends beyond their visual art. Through Bongoût, they contributed significantly to the DIY and independent art scene, providing a platform for emerging artists and fostering a community around printmaking and artist books. Their work has inspired a new generation of artists to explore screen printing and self-publishing as viable and exciting artistic practices.
In summary, from their beginnings in Strasbourg with Bongoût to their current status as established contemporary artists in Berlin, Stockholm and Strasbourg, Christian Gfeller and Anna Hellsgård have demonstrated a remarkable ability to evolve and innovate. Their work continues to challenge and inspire, making them vital contributors to the fields of printmaking and contemporary art.
- Elara Voss, Art Sphere Magazine
Bongout started in Strasbourg in 1995, initially as a small artist collective with a screen printing studio and publishing house. The name "Bongoût," a playful twist on "bon goût" (good taste in French), reflected their irreverent and experimental approach to art. The duo started to work together in 2001 and quickly made a name for themselves by creating eye-catching gig posters, record covers, and artist books. Their work often featured bold colors, abstract forms, and a punk-influenced aesthetic, blending elements of pop culture, comic art, and fine art.
During the Bongoût period, Gfeller and Hellsgård collaborated with a wide range of musicians and bands, producing unique visual identities that were both striking and memorable. Their gig posters became particularly sought after, not just as promotional materials but as collectible art pieces in their own right. They also designed record covers, which further solidified their reputation in the music and art scenes.
In 2004, the duo relocated to Berlin, a city known for its vibrant and diverse art scene. This move allowed them to expand their practice and engage with a broader community of artists and art enthusiasts. In Berlin, Bongoût continued to thrive, hosting exhibitions and collaborating with other artists, while also serving as a hub for experimental and independent publishing.
As their careers progressed, Christian Gfeller and Anna Hellsgård shifted from their roots in gig posters, record covers and DIY punk zines to broader artistic pursuits. They began focusing more on artist books and contemporary printmaking, exploring new techniques and themes. Their work became increasingly abstract and conceptual, yet retained the vibrant and dynamic qualities that had characterized their earlier output.
The duo's artistic evolution is marked by a constant exploration of the possibilities of screen printing, pushing the boundaries of the medium. They have developed a distinctive style characterized by layered textures, vibrant colors, and an interplay of geometric shapes and organic forms. Their artist books are particularly notable for their craftsmanship and innovative use of materials, often blurring the lines between art and design.
Today, Gfeller and Hellsgård are recognized as significant figures in the contemporary printmaking world. They continue to create and exhibit work internationally, with their pieces featured in various public institutions and galleries. The duo's practice now encompasses a wide range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, and installation art. Their recent projects often explore themes of abstraction, color theory, and the materiality of printmaking.
Christian Gfeller and Anna Hellsgård's influence extends beyond their visual art. Through Bongoût, they contributed significantly to the DIY and independent art scene, providing a platform for emerging artists and fostering a community around printmaking and artist books. Their work has inspired a new generation of artists to explore screen printing and self-publishing as viable and exciting artistic practices.
In summary, from their beginnings in Strasbourg with Bongoût to their current status as established contemporary artists in Berlin, Stockholm and Strasbourg, Christian Gfeller and Anna Hellsgård have demonstrated a remarkable ability to evolve and innovate. Their work continues to challenge and inspire, making them vital contributors to the fields of printmaking and contemporary art.
- Elara Voss, Art Sphere Magazine