Werkvorstellungen, Videographien, Prints, Malereien, Grafik

Sketch: Saint George

Datum 25.10.25

Richscribble

Heiliger Georg, system. Malerei, Aquarell

Heiliger Georg, Aquarell auf Papier, ca 50cm x 40cm, Köln 1985

This watercolor is another example of the development of expressive, systemic painting. The lines have been laid over the paper in a grid-like pattern, with representational forms only hinted at. A warrior with a lance can be made out, riding a leviathan and stabbing a small horse. It is, so to speak, an image of satanic reversal, for from the many depictions of St. George we know the scene in which a holy knight on his horse courageously spears a snake-like reptile with his lance.

Saint George – the one who defeated the dragon

Knight George, his faith, a dragon,
before which the city of Silena trembled until he came
and raised his lance, his horse rose,
and trusting in the Savior, he overcame the serpent.
He defeated evil, freed the city,
and gave his reward to the poor.

Thus his red cross on a white background
became the sign of knights, the banner of England,
the symbol of courage and light against all darkness.

On April 23, we celebrate him –
George, the one who defeated the dragon
and ignited hearts.

Systemic painting in grid-like motion is different from constructing a grid-like structure. It brings a gentle breeze of calm to the unrestrained stroke, the rough surface. In many works, I use the effect of the grid as a feeling, a subtle, overarching static state of judgment, measurement, something that provides contrast, stage, and support to the chaotic.

Print eines Video-Frames Heiliger Georg, system. Malerei, Aquarell

Saint George on the Leviathan, stabbing a poor little horse, is an ancient card of mine, an often interpreted “reciprocal” theme. Perhaps it was the lingering shadows of the compulsory Bible lessons of my childhood, the contents of which I don’t even remember in fragments,

but rather the fuss made by adults who took great pleasure in being able to talk incessantly while the well-behaved children were forced to sit still and motionless, feigning listening and giving their undivided attention. Some adults were so delighted that their “bullshit” performance exceeded the one-and-a-half-hour limit and generated alternating current frequencies about God and the world for over two hours nonstop and without pause, letting them babble down on us.