Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 00
Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 01
Jutta Koether

Songs of New York

8 September 2026 -
31 October 2026

Jutta Koether

 

Songs of New York

 

8 September -
31 October 2026

 

Jutta Koether’s move from Cologne to New York at the beginning of the 1990s marked a decisive transformation in her practice. Looking back, she described the relocation as a process of “self-displacement”- a conscious distancing from the encumbering Cologne art scene that allowed her to reposition herself. More than a rupture, however, this displacement became the starting point for a transatlantic practice intertwining earlier influences with new contexts.

 

While the previous exhibition with Jutta Koether at Galerie Buchholz New York focused on her paintings and her experimental writing for Cologne’s music magazine SPEX in the early 1980s, our new exhibition begins with works from 1995. These include a large-format copy of a painting Koether acquired with Tom Verlaine at the Chelsea Flea Market, depicting massive colorful spotlights illuminating an otherwise dark Madison Square Garden, and a smaller work made for the exhibition Warmer Stern at Galerie Buchholz Cologne in the following year, featuring a central field of abstract gestural marks, a floating record, face, and amplifier that burst out of a grid-like structure.

 

This dialogue between possibility and constraint continued into the 2000s through exhibitions such as Songs of New York &c (1997) at Pat Hearn Gallery and Extremes Europa (2002) at Galerie Buchholz. During these years, Koether’s painting expanded dramatically, embracing extremes of scale, surface, and gesture: large-format canvases alongside intimate works; pitch-black canvases marked by delicate lines in metallic pens alongside all-over compositions in vivid colors; formless gestural masses alongside grids of controlled painterly marks, smiley-faced heads, and exploding suns. Rather than resolving these oppositions, her paintings use them as simultaneous productive states.

 

For Koether, one important recurrent reference point was William Blake’s early Romantic illuminated book Songs of Innocence and of Experience, in which poetry and painting converge to confront the conflicting but inseparable states that constitute human existence. Koether’s engagement with Blake was not limited to her paintings: in 1996, she named her new SPEX column Songs of New York, in which she traced her transatlantic position in writing. The page and the canvas, again, became parallel spaces of production: the rectangular geometry of the journalist’s office overlapped with that of the painter’s studio, forming a multidimensional site of production.

 

While Koether’s writing within these texts remained experimental in its perspectives and language, it gradually moved toward a more journalistic form, particularly in contrast to her earlier 1980s column written under the pseudonym Mrs. Benway. This transformation unfolded alongside the painterly expansion of the same period. Increasingly, writing migrated more freely into the paintings themselves, recalling Blake’s illuminated landscapes: a complex construction in which image and text cannot be separated, and in which the dialectic of enclosure and openness brings forward a new way of working.

 

 

 

Songs of New York is the second exhibition of Jutta Koether curated by Tonio Kröner and Christopher Müller, following “1982, 1983, 1984” at Galerie Buchholz New York in 2024. This is our eleventh solo exhibition with the artist since our first show with her in Cologne in 1996. Jutta Koether (1958, Cologne) lives and works between New York, Berlin, and Cologne. The Kunst Museum Winterthur will open a new solo exhibition of Jutta Koether on September 12 at Villa Flora.

 

Koether’s work was the subject of a comprehensive survey exhibition at Museum Brandhorst in Munich and at Mudam in Luxembourg in 2018 and 2019. Exhibitions of her work have been held at Artium Museoa in Vitoria-Gasteiz (2022), Museum Abteiberg in Mönchengladbach (2019), Dundee Contemporary Arts (2013), Moderna Museet in Stockholm (2011), Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven (2009), Kunsthalle Bern (2007), and Kölnischer Kunstverein (2006). Koether programmatically connects her painting to performance, music, and textual production; present and past collaborators include Tom Verlaine (1940-2023), Reena Spaulings, Steven Parrino, John Miller, Tony Conrad, Kim Gordon, and others. From 2010-2024, Koether was Professor of Painting and Drawing at the Hamburg University of Fine Arts, and previously taught at Columbia University, Cooper Union School of Art and School of Visual Art in New York City, Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, Yale University in New Haven, and Universität der Künste in Berlin, among others.

 

Her works are included in the collections of international museums including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles; Berlin National Gallery; Museum Brandhorst in Munich; Museum moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Vienna, Museum Ludwig Cologne, and Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.

 

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 02
Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 03
Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 04

Jutta Koether

Songs of New York

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 05

Jutta Koether

Songs of New York

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 06

Jutta Koether

“WB II (William Blake / He felt the female & c)”, 1997
oil on linen
218 x 200 cm

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 07

Jutta Koether

“WB II (William Blake / He felt the female & c)”, 1997
oil on linen
218 x 200 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 08

Jutta Koether

Songs of New York

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 09

Jutta Koether

“Havings”, 1996
acrylic and metallic ink on canvas
223 x 198 cm

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 10

Jutta Koether

“Havings”, 1996
acrylic and metallic ink on canvas
223 x 198 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 11

Jutta Koether

“Unconditional Urgency Unconditional Love”, 2000
2 parts, mixed media

on printed matter
each 26.5 x 26.5 cm

detail

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 12

Jutta Koether

“Unconditional Urgency Unconditional Love”, 2000
2 parts, mixed media

on printed matter
each 26.5 x 26.5 cm 

detail

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 13

Jutta Koether

Untitled, 2003
acrylic on paper
35.4 x 35.4 cm 

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 14

Jutta Koether

Songs of New York

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 15

Jutta Koether

“The au-déla”, 1997
oil on linen
198 x 157 cm

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 16

Jutta Koether

“The au-déla”, 1997
oil on linen
198 x 157 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 17

Jutta Koether

Untitled, 1998
oil on canvas paper
22.3 x 30 cm
(framed: 27.8 x 35.5 cm)

&

“Fully on Line”, 1997
acrylic on fabric
110 x 114.5 cm

 

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 18

Jutta Koether

Untitled, 1998
oil on canvas paper
22.3 x 30 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 19

Jutta Koether

“Fully on Line”, 1997
acrylic on fabric
110 x 114.5 cm

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 20

Jutta Koether

“Fully on Line”, 1997
acrylic on fabric
110 x 114.5 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 21

Jutta Koether

Songs of New York

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 22

Jutta Koether

Untitled, 1996
acrylic and ink on paper
28 x 21.5 cm 

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 23

Jutta Koether

“Die Erinnerung entwickelt nichts als Bilder und ich bin mir selber selbst schon nichts mehr als das vernichtende Nichts der
Gedanken”, 1995
oil and mixed media on canvas
68 x 68 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 24

Jutta Koether

“International Community: 3 from the heart of the brain”, 1997
acrylic on canvas
23 x 27.5 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 25

Jutta Koether

“Soulpack”, 2000
acrylic on canvas
27.5 x 35.5 cm

&

“‘Dripping Demons’ (too loud)”, 1997
oil on canvas
117 x 132 cm

 

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 26

Jutta Koether

“Soulpack”, 2000
acrylic on canvas
27.5 x 35.5 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 27

Jutta Koether

“‘Dripping Demons’ (too loud)”, 1997
oil on canvas
117 x 132 cm

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 28

Jutta Koether

“‘Dripping Demons’ (too loud)”, 1997
oil on canvas
117 x 132 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 29

Jutta Koether

Songs of New York

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 30

Jutta Koether

“Love Call of Life &

Song of Action”, 1997
acrylic and ballpoint pen

on canvas
diptych, each 244 x 168 cm

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 31

Jutta Koether

“Love Call of Life &

Song of Action”, 1997
acrylic and ballpoint pen

on canvas
diptych, each 244 x 168 cm

detail

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 32

Jutta Koether

“Love Call of Life &

Song of Action”, 1997
acrylic and ballpoint pen

on canvas
diptych, each 244 x 168 cm

detail

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 33

Jutta Koether

“WB IV (Walter Benjamin)”, 1997
oil, gesso, silver & gold ink

on canvas
167.5 x 138 cm

&

“Coronal holes & the sunny ages of women”, 1999
oil on canvas
182 x 132 cm

 

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 34

Jutta Koether

“WB IV (Walter Benjamin)”, 1997
oil, gesso, silver & gold ink

on canvas
167.5 x 138 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 35

Jutta Koether

“Coronal holes & the sunny ages of women”, 1999
oil on canvas
182 x 132 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 36

Jutta Koether

“Coronal holes & the sunny ages of women”, 1999
oil on canvas
182 x 132 cm

&

“The Mystical Sublime Stuff”, 2001
acrylic and mixed media

on canvas
50.5 x 61 cm

 

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 37

Jutta Koether

“The Mystical Sublime Stuff”, 2001
acrylic and mixed media

on canvas
50.5 x 61 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 38

Jutta Koether

Songs of New York

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 39

Jutta Koether

Songs of New York

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 40

Jutta Koether

Untitled, 2002
oil on canvas board
22.8 x 17.8 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 41

Jutta Koether

“Homohomo 2”, 2002
acrylic on canvas
190 x 150 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 42

Jutta Koether

“Homohomo 2”, 2002
acrylic on canvas
190 x 150 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 43

Jutta Koether

“this funny world (is making fun of you)”, 2000/2002
acrylic on canvas
51 x 61 cm

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 44

Jutta Koether

“this funny world (is making fun of you)”, 2000/2002
acrylic on canvas
51 x 61 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 45

Jutta Koether

“Metal Maniacs #1”, 2008
scratched silver foil and thumbtacks on cardboard
40 x 38.5 cm

&

“this funny world (is making fun of you)”, 2000/2002
acrylic on canvas
51 x 61 cm

 

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 46

Jutta Koether

Songs of New York

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 47

Jutta Koether

“Polsprung”, 2002
oil on canvas
100 x 100 cm

 

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 48

Jutta Koether

“Polsprung”, 2002
oil on canvas
100 x 100 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 49

Jutta Koether

“Dance at Madison Square Garden”, 1995
oil on canvas
213.5 x 162.5 cm

&

Fay Ruffo
“Madison Square Garden”,

c. 1943
oil on canvas on board
61 x 45.7 cm

 

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 50

Jutta Koether

“Dance at Madison Square Garden”, 1995
oil on canvas
213.5 x 162.5 cm

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 51

Jutta Koether

“Dance at Madison Square Garden”, 1995
oil on canvas
213.5 x 162.5 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 52

Fay Ruffo

“Madison Square Garden”,

c. 1943
oil on canvas on board
61 x 45.7 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 53

Jutta Koether

“All father forward”, 1999
acrylic on linen
152 x 117 cm

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 54

Jutta Koether

“All father forward”, 1999
acrylic on linen
152 x 117 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 55

Jutta Koether

“I Choose Everything”, 1997
acrylic on canvas
170.2 x 133.3 cm

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 56

Jutta Koether

“I Choose Everything”, 1997
acrylic on canvas
170.2 x 133.3 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 57

Jutta Koether

Untitled, 2001
20 parts, ink on

hand-made paper
each 40.5 x 30.5 cm

&

Untitled, 2007
acrylic, liquid glass and thumbtacks on canvas
53.5 x 43 cm

 

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 58

Jutta Koether

Untitled, 2001
20 parts, ink on

hand-made paper
each 40.5 x 30.5 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 59

Jutta Koether

Untitled, 2007
acrylic, liquid glass and thumbtacks on canvas
53.5 x 43 cm

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 60

Jutta Koether

Untitled, 2007
acrylic, liquid glass and thumbtacks on canvas
53.5 x 43 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 61

Jutta Koether

Untitled, 2000
acrylic, spray paint and metallic ink on canvas
115 x 212 cm

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 62

Jutta Koether

Untitled, 2000
acrylic, spray paint and metallic ink on canvas
115 x 212 cm

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 63

Jutta Koether

“Special purpose Entities I”, 2002
acrylic on canvas
60 x 50 cm

installation view Galerie Buchholz, New York 2026

Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 64

Jutta Koether

“Special purpose Entities I”, 2002
acrylic on canvas
60 x 50 cm

AnnouncementImagesText
Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 65Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 66Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 67Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 68Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 69Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 70Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 71Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 72Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 73Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 74Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 75Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 76Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 77Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 78Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 79Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 80Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 81Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 82Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 83Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 84Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 85Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 86Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 87Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 88Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 89Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 90Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 91Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 92Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 93Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 94Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 95Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 96Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 97Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 98Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 99Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 100Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 101Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 102Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 103Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 104Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 105Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 106Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 107Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 108Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 109Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 110Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 111Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 112Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 113Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 114Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 115Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 116Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 117Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 118Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 119Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 120Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 121Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 122Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 123Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 124Songs of New York — Jutta Koether — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 125