With ManChild, Anna Laudel Düsseldorf presents for the first time a solo exhibition of the young, internationally exhibited artist Noah Becker. The exhibition opens a space for reflection on the complex dimensions of life under public scrutiny. At its core lies an exploration of the social expectations projected onto an individual—often before they are ready to meet them. ManChild investigates the tension between societal prescriptions and the inner child that seeks to remain curious, alive, and open.

Central to Becker’s artistic practice are large-scale, color-intense paintings executed in oil on canvas, carpet, and cardboard. Through expressive chromatic compositions, densely layered forms, and the subtle integration of text and numbers, he creates visual spaces that resonate emotionally while inviting intellectual reflection. His abstract-poetic visual language engages with questions of identity, self-determination, and the fragile balance between inner life and external perception.

In the titular work ManChild 1 (2025), Becker stages an inner dialogue between two opposing forces: the freedom of childhood and the disciplined order of adulthood. Within the tension of these poles emerges a delicate equilibrium—between chaos and control, spontaneity and structure, innocence and responsibility. ManChild 1 becomes a visual metaphor for the ongoing struggle to preserve authenticity within a structured world and to keep one’s inner impulse alive.

Most of the works on view are being exhibited publicly for the first time, oscillating between introspection and public dialogue. Becker plays with contrasts—depth and lightness, contemplation and childlike openness. The exhibition invites visitors to question their own expectations and perceptions.

With ManChild, Anna Laudel Düsseldorf focuses on works that unite personal expression, intuition, and a spirit of experimentation. The exhibition offers a space where visitors can explore thought-provoking visual worlds, reflect on their own notions, and experience creativity and authenticity as driving forces of artistic identity.