September 10 – October 31, 2026 MADRID
Opera Gallery Madrid presents *Tequila Sunrise*, a solo exhibition of paintings and sculptures by German artist Anselm Reyle. Coinciding with Apertura Madrid Gallery Weekend (September 10–13, 2026), the show brings together some of his most iconic series, including *Ceramics*, *Foils & Neons*, *Burlap Paintings*, *New Paintings (Bright & Black)*, *Stripe Paintings*, and *Chrome Brush Stroke Paintings*.
The exhibition features a carefully curated selection of works, placing particular emphasis on the new *Chrome Brush Stroke Paintings* and *Ceramic Sculptures*. These engage in a dialogue with pieces dating back to 2006, offering insight into Reyle’s career trajectory and the evolution of his visual language over the past two decades.
Collectively, the selection provides a comprehensive view of an artist whose practice has consistently challenged the conventions of abstraction through material innovation, experimentation, and a distinctive approach to color.
Berlin-based Anselm Reyle is known for transforming industrial materials and everyday visual references into works of great visual impact that question traditional notions of abstraction. Through reflective surfaces, vibrant colors, and unexpected materials, his works blur the boundaries between painting and object, as well as between authenticity and artifice.
Illusion and perception are central to Anselm Reyle’s practice; what initially appears to be a spontaneous painterly gesture often reveals itself to be a meticulously crafted construction. Drawing inspiration from the legacies of gestural and post-war abstraction, Pop Art, and the visual language of consumer culture, Reyle simultaneously embraces and challenges established artistic conventions. By combining technical precision with experimentation and chance, he transforms industrial materials and everyday objects into works of great visual and conceptual complexity, across both painting and sculpture. Color acts not only as a formal device but also as a catalyst for energy and transformation. In *Untitled* (2026)—one of the new paintings from his *Chrome Brush Stroke* series—what appear to be heavily textured, gestural brushstrokes in neon hues are framed by the luminous glow of lime-green spray paint. Elsewhere in the exhibition, a bright yellow ceramic sculpture with vivid green accents is illuminated by blue neon light, intensifying the interplay of color, texture, and reflection. By subverting familiar visual codes and challenging conventional hierarchies of beauty, authenticity, and artistic value, Reyle invites the viewer to reconsider how images are constructed, experienced, and interpreted. “What interests me most,” states Reyle, “are the dead ends of modernism.”
Belén Herrera Ottino, Director of Opera Gallery Madrid, comments: “Anselm Reyle has developed a unique visual language that continues to challenge the way we perceive painting and sculpture. Through a bold use of materials and a profound understanding of abstraction, his work retains its capacity for innovation and its enduring relevance today. We are delighted to present this significant exhibition—Reyle’s first solo show with Opera Gallery in Madrid—coinciding with Apertura.”
*Tequila Sunrise* offers an overview of two decades of research and experimentation, during which Anselm Reyle has consistently explored the boundaries between painting and object, illusion and material presence. By bringing together some of his most iconic series with important recent works, the exhibition highlights his ability to reinvent the language of abstraction and continually expand its material and conceptual possibilities.
About Anselm Reyle
Anselm Reyle (b. 1970, Tübingen, Germany) currently lives and works in Berlin. He studied at the State Academy of Art and Design in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe. Since 2009, he has been a professor of painting and drawing at the University of Fine Arts in Hamburg. His work is characterized by the use of found objects—stripped of their original function, visually transformed, and recontextualized.
Reyle has held numerous solo exhibitions, including at The Modern Institute in Glasgow and the Kunsthalle in Zurich. His work has also been featured in group exhibitions at Tate Modern in London and the Palazzo Grassi in Venice. His pieces are held in numerous public and private collections worldwide, including the Centre Pompidou (Paris), Fondation Louis Vuitton (Paris), Pinault Collection (Venice), Saatchi Gallery (London), and Samsung Museum of Art (Seoul).
About Opera Gallery
Founded in Singapore in 1994, Opera Gallery has established a strong international presence with the opening of 14 locations worldwide. With spaces in cities such as London, Paris, New York, Geneva, Hong Kong, and Seoul, it has positioned itself as a leading global player in the art market.
Led by Gilles Dyan, Opera Gallery specializes in modern and contemporary art. It represents emerging artists—such as Andy Denzler, Anthony James, and Gustavo Nazareno—as well as established contemporary figures like Ron Arad, Manolo Valdés, and Anselm Reyle on an international scale.
For over 30 years, Opera Gallery has been dedicated to promoting the most dynamic and innovative expressions of modern and contemporary art through an ambitious exhibition program and collaborations with institutions that shape the cultural landscape, often supporting private collections and prominent public institutions. Opera Gallery Madrid is directed by Belén Herrera Ottino.
Opera Gallery Madrid
Calle de Serrano, 56
28001 Madrid, Spain
madrid@operagallery.com
T +34 810 831 308
Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sundays and public holidays: closed
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