Ki Smith Gallery · New York City · 2025

Harlem Frames has had the pleasure of working with artist Ryan Bock, also known as Bockhaus, twice. The first occasion was the presentation of paintings for his exhibit LICH, a 2025 solo exhibition at Ki Smith Gallery on the Lower East Side.

Developed over three months spent residing and painting in Lich, Germany—the town from which the exhibition takes its name—LICH draws from Bock’s German-Jewish ancestry, family history, folklore, and contemporary politics. Through fractured geometries, shadowed figures, and references ranging from the Brothers Grimm to historical and contemporary events, the paintings examine multifarious ways stories and collective memory can both shape and distort our comprehension as well as recollection of history.

The Exhibition

Bock’s practice is deeply rooted in narrative, symbolism, and a distinctive visual language influenced by German Expressionism and Czech Cubism. In LICH, that language takes on a rougher, heavily worked quality as figures, animals, myths, and historical references move through dark, angular compositions.

The exhibition considers how folklore and inherited narratives move between generations and cultures, connecting Bock’s own ancestry with larger questions surrounding memory, propaganda, censorship, and the cyclical nature of history.

Stretched & Framed by Harlem Frames

For *LICH*, Harlem Frames provided **professional canvas stretching and custom framing**, continuing our collaboration with Bock across his painting practice.

The presentation was intentionally responsive to the physical character of the paintings. Bock’s canvases contain strong contrasts, fractured forms, textured surfaces, and an almost architectural use of shape and shadow. The framing provides structure around that visual intensity without competing with the imagery itself.

Our ongoing work with Bock reflects the relationship that can develop between artist and framer over multiple projects. From stretching newly completed canvases to preparing finished works for exhibition, Harlem Frames helps carry the work through the important transition from the artist’s studio to the gallery wall.

We’re proud to have contributed to the presentation of LICH and to continue working with Bockhaus as his practice and exhibitions evolve.