It is apparent that Troels Wörsel has recently dedicated himself to a number of different themes: the garden as landscape, the image as object and the world of quantum physics. However, as he himself notes, his subjects are not completely disconnected but rather determine one another. One piece is a reaction to the previous, and occasionally they emerge at the same time: a delicate object coated with gold leaf whose internal relief imitates a mountain range seen from an aeroplane; here a crater, there little waves of eroded rock, the whole thing partly framed by a hand-made, Florentine wooden frame which has already played a role within the Danish artist’s oeuvre. The main feature of this frame, its decorative element, which bears no relation to the image within, has clearly been eliminated. Image and object, jewellery and sculpture, inside and outside, content and form melt together in symbiosis. It is unbounded.
The motifs of a small bridge or a luscious green garden invite the viewer to embark on a journey, steeped in thought. Wörsel’s violet paintings dynamically and expressively celebrate the ‘moment’, the ‘sudden’. An entire series of these works, produced in Pietrasanta, Italy, effortlessly capture the fleeting moment with soft, creamy style on the canvas. It is not difficult to see them as the antithesis of the meditative, complex garden works. In such lush gardens, where Mediterranean fauna naturally proliferates, Max Frisch’s description of nature comes to mind: ‘Wherever you spit, it germinates!’ [1]
And what about the large-format, lime-green canvases upon which white explodes like so many concentrated clusters of fluffy clouds while star-shaped rays of light burst through the surface in crystalline form? The surface, which gains depth, breaks up into irrational patterns. Which will get the upper hand, chaos or structure? The mechanical intersection in the centre of the picture is also striking, separating the piece into upper and lower parts. What is subtly and abstractly portrayed here is a (ghostly) quantum skein where particles can exchange information via the speed of light, contradicting Einstein’s theory (the EPR Paradox). The so-called ‘Bell’s Theorem’ calls for nonlocality, which more or less means ‘reality is not local.’ [2] This scientifically proven phenomenon is in opposition to what is typically understood by the terms reality and space, and their relationship to one another. It opens up unbelievable possibilities in terms of natural sciences, but also in terms of metaphysical and philosophical questions and ideas, making their pictorial translations into corresponding, painterly metaphors nothing less than brilliant.
[1] Frisch, Max: Homo Faber, 1. Aufl, 1977
[2] "Physics: Bell's theorem still reverberates", in: Nature 510, S. 467-469, 2014, https://www.spektrum.de/news/kontroverse-korrelationen/1302714 (2018-05-08)
Vita
1950—2018
Aarhus – Cologne
1995
Receives the Eckersberg Medal from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen
2002
Wins Carnegie Art Award’s first prize
2004
Receives the Thorvaldsen Medal from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen
2007
Represents Denmark at the 52nd Venice Biennale
Selected Solo Shows
2025
In colour – Galerie Susanne Ottesen, Copenhagen
Mirepoix / Important paintings from the 1980's and 90's – Gallery Riis, Oslo
2020
On Paper – Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebæk, Denmark
2019
Maleri. Paintings from the 80s – Galleri Susanne Ottesen, Copenhagen
2018
Troels Wörsel – Jahn und Jahn, Munich
2017
Frühe Werke. Bilder und Arbeiten auf Papier 1979–1984 – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
In the New Space – Galleri Riis, Oslo (Presentations since 1995)
2016
La Pittura – HEART Herning Museum of Contemporary Art, Herning, Denmark
La Pittura – Galleri Susanne Ottesen, Copenhagen (Presentations since 1985)
2015
Trial and Error and Other New Works – Galleri Susanne Ottesen, Copenhagen
2013
Maleri. Udvalg II – Kunstmuseet i Tønder, Tondern, Denmark
2012
Makulaltur – Galleri Riis, Oslo
Sur le Motif – Galleri Susanne Ottesen, Copenhagen
2010
Arbeiten auf Papier 2009–2010 – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
Troels Wörsel. A los pies de los caballos – Benveniste Contemporary, Madrid
2009
Troels Wörsel – Art Statements Gallery, Hong Kong
Uden Titel 2009 – Galleri Susanne Ottesen, Copenhagen
2008
Troels Wörsel. New Paintings – Gallerie Riis, Oslo
Troels Wörsel. Paintings – ScheiblerMitte, Berlin
Troels Wörsel. Venedig Biennalen 2007 – Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen
2007
Dänischer Pavillon, 52 Biennale di Venezia, Venice
Bilder, Aquarelle und Zeichnungen – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
Troels Wörsel. akvareller – Horsens Kunstmuseum, Horsens, Denmark
2006
Troels Wörsel – Nordiska Akvarellmuseet, Skärham, Sweden
2005
Nye Malerier – Galleri Susanne Ottesen, Copenhagen
2003
Nye Malerier – Galleri Susanne Ottesen, Copenhagen
2000
Sønderjyllands Kunstmuseum, Tønder, Denmark
1997
Troels Wörsel. Neue Aquarelle – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
1996
Musée des Beaux-Art de Nantes, Nantes
1995
Troels Wörsel. Arbeiten auf Papier 1979–1989 – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
Oranges & Holes – Aurel Scheibler, Cologne
Galleri Riis, Oslo (further presentations until today)
1994
Ediciones Benveniste, Madrid
Kunstmuseet Trapholt, Kolding, Denmark
Galeria Archeles, Madrid
1993
Stichting Beeldende Kunst Middelburg de Vleeshal, Middelburg, The Netherlands
Galleri Tommy Lund, Odense, Denmark
Galeria Gingko, Madrid
1992
Galerie a.k., Frankfurt am Main
1991
Troels Wörsel. Maleri – Galleri Susanne Ottesen, Copenhagen
Pieni Agora, Helsinki
1990
David Nolan Gallery, New York
Stephen Solovy Fine Arts, Chicago
Galleri Engström, Stockholm
1989
Troels Wörsel. Maleri – Galleri Susanne Ottesen, Copenhagen
Troels Wörsel. Arbeiten auf Papier – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
Nordiskt Konstcentrum, Saveaborg, Helsinki
1988
Galleri Engström, Stockholm
1987
Galerie Klein im Syndikat, Bonn
Galerie a.k., Frankfurt am Main
Troels Wörsel. Aquarelle – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
1986
Galerie Daniel Buchholz, Cologne
1985
Brooke Alexander, New York
Galleri Susanne Ottesen, Copenhagen (further presentations until today)
Rob Jurka, Kunst RAI, Amsterdam
Alfred Kren Gallery, New York
1984
Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
Galerie Biedermann, Munich
1983
Visual Arts Museum (with Franz Hitzler), New York
Galerie a.k., Frankfurt am Main
Galerie Jurka, Amsterdam
Brooke Alexander, New York
Galerie Art in Progress, Düsseldorf
Galerie Klein, Bonn
Künstlerwerkstatt Lothringerstrasse (with Franz Hitzler), Munich
1982
Troels Wörsel. Neue Bilder – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
Städtisches Kunstmuseum Bonn, Bonn
1981
i.e. Graphic (with Kirsten Ortwed), Copenhagen
Galerie Klein, Bonn
Troels Wörsel. Neue Bilder – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
1980
Troels Wörsel. Bider 1978/79 – Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich
1979
Kunstforeningen (with Niels Reumert), Copenhagen
i.e. Graphic, Copenhagen
1977
Galleri Birch, Copenhagen
i.e. Graphic, Copenhagen
1975
i.e. Graphic, Copenhagen
Galerie Jurka, Amsterdam
1974
i.e. Graphic, Copenhagen
1973
i.e. Graphic, Copenhagen
1972
Kunstbiblioteket, Hvidovre, Denmark
1971
Kunstbiblioteket, Lyngby, Denmark
1969
Trefoldigheden, Copenhagen
Selected Group Shows
2018
40+10+1 – Jahn und Jahn, Munich
2017
Summer Days – Serlanchius Museum, Götsa, Sweden
2012
Sidetracks – MUST Starvanger Kunstmuseum, Starvanger, Norway
2009
Die Gegenwart der Linie – Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich
2008
Made in Munich – Haus der Kunst, Munich
Phoenix Revisited – Lauritz Kunsthal, Copenhagen
2007
Temperance and Opulence. Art and Design Work from Denmark – Moa (Museum of Art), Seoul
2002
Carnegie Art Award 2002 – Reykjavik Art Museum, Reykjavik; Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo; Victoria Miro Warehouse, London; Kunstforeningen, Copenhagen; Helsinki City Art Museum, Helsinki; Röda Sten, Goteborg
1996
Ansigt til ansigt – Brandts Klæberfabrik, Odense, Denmark; Vestsjællands Kunstmuseum Sorø, Denmark
1995
Down the Drain (Alan Uglow, Al Taylor, Kirsten Ortwed, Troels Wörsel) – Galerie Aurel Scheibler, Cologne
1993
Grønningen – Charlottenborg, Copenhagen
1992
Spejlbilleder. En udstilling af selvportrætter – Det nationalhistoriske Museum på Frederiksborg Slot, Hillerrød, Denmark
1991
Questions de Sens – Le Centre d’Art d’Ivry, CREDAC, Paris
Transparencia Azul – Moderna Museet, Stockholm; Museu de Arte de São Paulo, São Paulo; Museu de Arte Moderna, Rio de Janeiro; Museo Nacional de Artes Plasticas, Montevideo; Museo de Arte Moderno, Buenos Aires; Museo de Arte Moderno, Bogota; Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Caracas, Caracas
1990
Northlands. New Art from Scandinavia – The Museum of ModernArt, Oxford; The Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin
Rauma Biennale Balticum 1990, Rauma, Finland
1989
The 1980s. Prints from the Collection of Joshua B. Smith – National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
1988
Zeichenkunst der Gegenwart – Sammlung Prinz Franz v. Bayern, Staatliche Graphische Sammlung, Munich
1987
Points of Contact – Laurie Rubin Gallery, New York
Borealis 3 – Malmön Konsthall, Malmö
1984
Aquarelle – Kassler Kunstverein, Kassel
Sun and Steel. New European-American Work – The Puck Building, Alfred Kren and Serra di Felice, New York
1983
New Figuration. Contemporary Art from Germany – Frederick S. Wight Art Gallery, UCLA, Los Angeles
Absprünge – Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg
Aktuell ’83 – Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich
1981
Rundschau Deutschland I – Künstlerwerkstatt Lothringerstrasse, Munich
Rundschau Deutschland II – Im Klapperhof, Cologne
Bildwechsel – Akademie der Künste, Berlin
Neue Tendenzen der Zeichnung – Kunstverein München, Munich; Berlinische Galerie, Berlin; Kunstmuseum der Stadt Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf
1980
Zeichnungen 6 – Städtisches Museum, Schloss Morsbroich, Leverkusen
Aus Münchener Ateliers – Stadtmuseum, Munich
Ung dansk kunst – Charlottenborg, Copenhagen
1977
03 23 03 Premieres rencontres internationales d’art contemporain – Montreal
Hal Bromm, New York
1975
9e Biennale de Paris, Paris
Fyns Stifts Kunstmuseum, Oslo
1974
4th International Drawing Exhibition – Rijeka, today’s Croatia
1973
Decenter – Mön, Denmark
1969
Kunstnernes Efterårsudstilling – Den Frie, Copenhagen
Tegneserier. Tegnede serier – Kunstbiblioteket, Lyngby, Denmark
