The Real Birdman Is In Malta To Showcase His Art
Photo: (Left) ‘Brains Count’, ink on paper, Hans Langner; (right) ‘Bird’, mixed-media, Jens Mohr, 2017
Two German artists, Hans Langner – also known as birdman – and Jens Mohr, will be exhibiting their unconventional art pieces in Malta this weekend.
Langner is a self-taught artist with a career spanning over two decades. In 1996 he transformed from human into bird in a performance in Hong Kong, prompting a journalist to label him “The birdman of Hong Kong.” He’s since ditched performance art and instead has taken birds as his central artistic motif.
Mohr, also self-taught, creates artworks from found pieces and commodities, characterised by an intriguing quirky humour. He’s been working specifically with objects he found for sale at flea markets in Birgu and Ta’ Qali while working here in Malta.
Artist Jens Mohr
The artists’ work will be on display at Quantum House in Ta’ Xbiex. Their combined exhibition will feature examples of “20 Years of Birds”, including Mohr’s sculptural bird-art (other animals also make cameos), and Langner’s most recent tapestry-based pieces – which he’s been working on for the past two years.
Langner’s compositions are made from old and antique tapestries, adding layers of new narrative to what already exists. “[I make] the invisible birds visible,” he says, referring to the birds he shapes out of the intricate tapestry scenes.
Moor’s works are more playful. They’re spontaneously and intuitively constructed, creating distinctive characters out of discarded, everyday objects.
Walking on Water, metallic acrylic paint on tapestry, Hans Langner, 2017
(Left) Sitting Dog, mixed media; (right) Red Bull, mixed media, Jens Mohr, 2017
Red Mullet, mixed media, Jens Mohr, 2017
Aside from this exhibition, Langner and Mohr will also be hosting a workshop at Quantum House on Saturday 4 March 9.30am – 5.30pm and Sunday 5 March 9.00 am – 1.30pm.
Participants will get to see the artists at work, and perhaps get a deeper insight into their colourful careers, and unique methods. The two men have been widely exhibited and published, so would-be local artists shouldn’t miss out on getting some insider tips from these guys.
Hey, you might even convince Birman to come out of performance retirement for one last transformation.
(Left) Facing Myself, ink on paper; (right) Facing Death, ink on paper, Hans Langner, 2017
Blue Bunny, mixed media, end Mohr, 2017
Time flys, Feb 2017
If you’re interested in finding out more about the artist known as birdman and Jens Mohr, and would like to participate in their workshops – contact Rehana Sharma by email: [email protected], or phone: 2092 5100.