Ilenia

Emil Michael Klein is a Swiss artist whose practice is defined by a meticulous exploration of painting. In the artist’s ongoing series of line paintings, bold, meandering lines cut through fields of varying colours and convey a sense of depth and movement within the picture plane.

For his presentation at Basel Social Club, Klein has produced a new series of ceramic vases which draw directly from his paintings, the surface of each vase adorned with lines painted in a vivid colour palette. The ceramic medium offers a new dimension to the artist’s approach, allowing the lines to escape the flat surface of the canvas and interact with the curves and contours of the vases. This creates a dynamic visual experience, as the lines guide the viewer’s eye around the three-dimensional form, enhancing the perception of depth and movement.

Emil Michael Klein (b. 1982, Munich) obtained an MFA in visual arts from the École cantonal d’art de Lausanne (ECAL) (2013), previously having completed his studies at the Academy of Art and Design in Basel (2005).
Klein has exhibited internationally, with recent solo presentations including: Emil Michael Klein, Galerie Francesca Pia, Zürich (2024); Wall Painting, Ilenia, London (2023); Emil Michael Klein, Galleria Federico Vavassori, Milan (2023); Mono Cross, Galerie Francesca Pia, Zurich (2020); Curtains, Galleria Federico Vavassori, Milan (2019); Darkotic, Kunsthalle Zurich (2017); Emil Michael Klein, Museum Im Bellpark, Kriens (2017); Red, Blue and Black lines, Gaudel De Stampa, Paris (2017); Blue Line Paintings, Gaudel de Stampa, Paris (2015); Art Unlimited, Art Basel (2013); Signed Abstraction, Galleria Federico Vavassori, Milan (2012); Wanda, Luis Campaña, Berlin (2010); Art39 (Statements), Nicolas Krupp, Basel; His upcoming solo exhibition, Wall Painting, Ilenia, London (2023) marks his first in the United Kingdom. Current and recent group exhibitions include, Part 1: Welcoming the Space, Hoi Köln (2023); MONOTYPES, Edition VFO, Kunsthalle Zurich (2023); Recent Acquisitions and Eternal Loves – Part I, Nicoletta Fiorucci Collection, La Rose de France, Monte-Carlo (2023); Stop Painting, curated by Peter Fischli, Fondazione Prada, Venice (2021); After Bob Ross – Beauty is Everywhere, Museum im Bellpark Kriens (2020); Sammlung Longtang, Synnika, Frankfurt (2019); Lampen, Galerie Francesca Pia, Zurich (2018); GLÜCLICH IST DIESER ORT!, Istituto Svizzero, Milan (2016); Tell the children, La Salle de Bain, Lyon (2012); Wallpower, Claudia Gröflin, Zurich (2010); The line is a Lonely Hunter, New Jerseyy, Basel (2008).