Over the past two decades, Charline von Heyl has created a diverse body of paintings and works on paper. Combining loose gestures with abstracted forms, geometric references, and occasionally bits of language, Von Heyl shies away from any sense of strict formal composition, opting instead for experimental works that reflect an eclectic approach to materials and form. Employing a variety of techniques, including wiping, sanding, scratching, applying bleeds and washes, and taping, Von Heyl explores the many possibilities for painting. Similarly, her palette deflects any reliance on a consistent use of color, and a survey of her work reveals a spectrum of color, from gray-scale and sepia tones to bold pinks, yellows, and blues.
Von Heyl has been the subject of solo exhibitions at numerous notable institutions including the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, the Tate Liverpool, the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Vienna Secession.