Andrew Birk (b. 1985, Corvallis, Oregon, USA) approaches painting as a multi-faceted contemporary medium, where materials - always common and accessible in other facets outside of art - are used in an indivisible relationship with the subject matter. Each of his consecutive bodies of work are conceived as specific projects, with their own distinctive logic about context, gesture, and matter. Ranging from the observation of the apparent inconsequential moments of quotidian life, to an exploration of untrained aesthetics, from an almost archival look at urban and digital imagery, to the perception of the body moving through space and the imprint of nature on it. He has recently purchased a chainsaw, and is using it to both clear timber, and prepare new works.
Birk has exhibited in 27 countries, including solo and group shows in Paris, Berlin, London, New York, Lisbon, Vienna, and widely in Mexico. Recent presentations include Para Mi Hija, Galeria Karen Huber, Mexico City (2020), Ebullicion, Kunstraum am Schauplatz, Vienna (2019), Unsupported Message Format, Galerie Valeria Cetraro, Paris (2019), Dwelling Poetically: Mexico City, A Case Study, Australian Center for Contemporary Art, Melbourne (2018), A Finger Pointing to the Moon, SORT, Vienna (2018), I Am The Body Of A Human, Malta Contemporary Art, Valletta (2017), Callejero, Anonymous Gallery, Mexico City (2016), and TRU AF, Johannes Vogt Gallery, New York City (2015).
Birk is currently focused on taking care of his baby daughters (4 & 2) and rebuilding an old stone house in the Catalan countryside. His work has been reviewed in publications such as Parnass, Proceso, Reforma, Economista, Terremoto, Flash Art, Artspace, OFLUXO, Tzvetnik, Art Viewer, AQNB, Aujourd’Hui, Vice, I-D, and Huffington Post, among others.
Birk co-directs Spiritvessel, a newborn vehicle for contemporary art in Espinavessa, Spain, which is sponsored in part by the Leader fund in Girona. In the spring of 2024, Andrew, along with partners, will be opening a brick and mortar gallery in Girona, Spain.
