Image series 09 / 2026: Thomas Bayrle
Principle of Serialism
22 February 2026
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By: Bettina Pfleging
Inspired by pop art and the world of industrial goods, German object artist, painter, graphic designer and video artist Thomas Bayrle explores the relationship between the individual and the masses, often using meditative repetitions. In the 1960s, he developed his own unique visual style using a structural grid. This involves composing a large image from many identical elements. This principle of seriality, the repetition, interconnection and interweaving of individual elements to form an overall image, can be found in almost all of his works to this day.
Fifty-five works by Thomas Bayrle from the last 20 years, including paintings, graphics, sculptures, object art, sound installations and a video work, are presented in the exhibition under his motto ‘Be happy!’.
„Thomas Bayrle. Be Happy!“
12 February until 10 May 2026, SCHIRN Kunsthalle, Frankfurt am Main
Thomas Bayrle. Kennedy in Berlin, Ausschnitt, 1962, 43 × 61 cm, Frankfurt am Main; ConedaKOR Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Kunstgeschichtliches Institut
Thomas Bayrle. Glücksklee, 4.200 Milchkannen, 1969, 170 × 180 cm, Frankfurt am Main; Digitale Diathek, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Institut für Kunstgeschichte
Thomas Bayrle. ein Pils bitte!, Ausschnitt, 1972; ConedaKOR Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Kunstgeschichtliches Institut
Thomas Bayrle. Golf, Ausschnitt, 1980; Diathek online, Technische Universität Dresden, Institut für Kunstgeschichte, Sächsische Landesbibliothek – Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Dresden
Thomas Bayrle. DM Pappmodell mit Autos (Rampe für Film), 1979, Pappe, Modellautos, Papierstreifen, Pappmodell, 48 × 48 mm, Frankfurt am Main; ConedaKOR Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Kunstgeschichtliches Institut
Thomas Bayrle. Maggi, Ausschnitt, 1981; ConedaKOR Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Kunstgeschichtliches Institut
Thomas Bayrle. Madonna Mercedes, Ausschnitt, 1989, Fotokopie und Farbe auf Holz, 198 × 146 cm, Frankfurt am Main; ConedaKOR Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Kunstgeschichtliches Institut
Thomas Bayrle. Parkhaus Köln [Ausg. B], Ausschnitt, 2009, Pappe, Holz, Siebdruck, Aquarell, Collage, Köln; Rheinisches Bildarchiv – Bestand Kölner Museen, Kunst- und Museumsbibliothek der Stadt Köln
