Limbus 2017

Eckart Hahn’s “Limbus” is a painting of a lioness, suspended mid-air, probably made with oils. Hahn has an amazing eye for detail and there’s something so compelling about the tight realism set against a stark black background. What strikes me is how the smoothness of the cat’s fur contrasts with the rough texture of the ropes, and how the bright yellow circle below introduces a touch of surreal whimsy to the scene. It’s such a strange combination - danger, restraint, and the absurd all at once. Look closely at the ropes, the way they bite into the lioness’s body. I keep thinking about the tension and release in the push and pull between what is captured and what is on the verge of breaking free. I’m reminded of the work of someone like Neo Rauch. Both are masters of juxtaposing realism with the uncanny. Ultimately, Hahn’s work invites us to embrace the unsettling beauty of the in-between.