Simon Raab, Too much (detail), 2008
September 6 – 30, 2012
Opening reception: Thursday, September 6, 7- 10 pm
LAUSBERG CONTEMPORARY
326 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5T 1G5
T: 416-516-4440
E: toronto@galerie-lausberrg.com
www.galerie-lausberg.com
Hours: Tues-Sun 12–6 or by appointment
Simon Raab works in a unique medium, he coined and patented as “Parleau”, whose etymology is French for ‘through the water.’ Multiple layers of colored polymers are applied to stainless steel and aluminum and then “crushed” or sculpted to give the appearance of an image just under the surface of water. The art is presented as either a wall-mounted painting with embedded frames, or as a freestanding volumetric sculpture. Raab’s work is characterized by brilliant colors, figurative abstractions, and most often conveys some underlying philosophical message.
Raab has enjoyed several successful years of exhibitions in Europe, North America and Asia and is represented by the Peter Zimmermann Gallery in Mannheim, Germany. Raab was formerly a scientist and engineer and brings his rich technical training in materials to bear on his art. He credits the secret processes he has developed in Parleau to his scientific background. “It is a myth that the creative impulses and process in the sciences are different than those in the arts. They have many similarities, in that they are emotional, inspired, magical, technical, and are often born of frustration,” explained Raab.