There are those one-night experiences that don't necessarily demand a repeat performance. And then there are others that lead to something wonderful. You can see and experience this in Lübeck's Old Town at Gabi Bannow's "Gallery for a Night," which showcases contemporary art in the building at Tünkenhagen 32 – an Old Town alley that, incidentally, was first mentioned in 1313 and still maintains a cohesive historical appearance.
Grandma's shop
I'm enchanted every time I enter the gallery. Perhaps it's because I feel transported back to my childhood, when zero-waste shops were completely commonplace. They just weren't called that back then. Gabi Bannow's grandparents ran their general store on the ground floor. Almost everything still looks the same as it did back then: the bag rack in front of the counter, the little bags for loose goods, the cash register. There are so many incredible details to discover. Yet Gabi Bannow isn't running a museum here. She uses the charming ambiance of the former shop to present her artwork. The wooden drawers and wall shelves serve as a backdrop for her paintings. Over time, Gabi Bannow has created a concept store here, where the historical interior forms a fascinating contrast to her contemporary works.
The Lübeck native practically grew up in this corner shop. Her parents' antique store, Bannow Antik, was just two streets away. She often visited her grandparents to spend time with them and help restock the shelves. And she witnessed daily that her grandmother wasn't just selling merchandise. The shop was a meeting place, a hub where one could catch up on the latest news and confide in others. Therefore, it doesn't surprise me at all that Gabi Bannow wants to bring people together with and in her gallery. Just like her grandmother did – albeit with different means. With paints and canvas.
Sleeping Beauty awakens
Drawing and painting have been her passion since childhood. After graduating from the Ernestine School, she decided to study fashion design at what was then the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, a field that continues to influence her work today. She then trained as a restorer of oil paintings. When Gabi Bannow moved into her grandparents' house with her children, the historic building was still slumbering like an unkissed Sleeping Beauty. She says she gradually came to appreciate this special place more and more. The idea of developing it further arose after her first participation in Museum Night in 2006. Her exhibition "for one night" was THE insider tip of the event. The public reacted enthusiastically to this treasure in the heart of Lübeck's old town, and Gabi Bannow took the plunge, transforming the shop into a gallery and turning that one night into a lifelong passion.
Vintage Cafe
The development unfolded gradually, almost effortlessly. Gabi Bannow wants to invite people into her gallery and give them time to linger, to immerse themselves in her paintings. And what better way to do this than with a good cup of freshly brewed filter coffee and a slice of homemade cake? Not just any coffee, of course. The gallery owner has also completed barista training and brews lightly roasted coffee from Arabica beans sourced from New York City, Barcelona, and Copenhagen for her guests. With its fine selection of coffees, her gallery café in Lübeck is therefore a hidden gem.
That's precisely why I love Gabi Bannow's carefully crafted installation so much. Sitting at a kidney-shaped table, letting my gaze wander, I absorb the painted scenes and follow the colors. I delight in the delicate vintage furniture from the 1960s, which is also available for purchase on site. And I feel instantly transported back to my teenage years when I spot the macrame plant hangers suspended from the ceiling. Everything truly comes back around!
Groupie inside
Gabi Bannow's paintings unfold their full effect in this inspiring environment. Studying the human form is her specialty. She loves observing people and bringing everyday scenes from the big city to life in her paintings. People on the subway, waiting, staring at their smartphones.
Other works of hers depict world-famous musicians such as Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and John Lennon & Yoko Ono. She uses photographs as source material for these pieces. How did she come to this theme? Gabi Bannow believes it allows her to explore hidden longings, the rock star within her, or the groupie. What is certain is that painting gives her the opportunity to discover inner aspects of herself and express them through colors and creations. She constantly questions herself and her work, experimenting with new techniques in her second-floor studio and engaging with color. She gives her paintings the chance to offer answers. When she still wasn't satisfied with her work " Special Moment ," which shows the Beatles and the Stones sitting together on a train, even after several revisions, she let it sit for a while and suddenly realized quite clearly: " The painting is already complete ."
Place of encounter
The artist regularly hosts readings and song recitals. She also makes her gallery available for the popular "Große Kiesau Literaturnacht" (Great Kiesau Literature Night) and the annual May Day dance. Currently, of course, everything is different. The lockdown is hitting artists and cultural workers very hard. Gabi Bannow, meanwhile, is focusing on her work. She clearly feels that painting is good for her and strengthens her. She is simply grateful to life for the gift of being able to live her talents. With cautious optimism, she is planning an event for July with the artist Agnes Julia Mann and the musician Johannes Winde as part of the "Kulturfunke" (Culture Spark) initiative. The "Gallery for a Night" is usually open Thursdays and Fridays from 3 pm to 6 pm, and Saturdays from 11 am to 5 pm.