Jonathan Meese b. 1970, Tokyo, Japan
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© örg Koopmann
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Jonathan Meese is widely recognized for his diverse array of artistic expressions spanning painting, sculpture, performance art, and installations, that reflect his pursuit for controversial and vivid social commentary.
b. 1970, Tokyo, Japan
Lives and works in Berlin and Hamburg
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From 1995 to 1998, Meese attended the University of Fine Arts in Hamburg, where he studied alongside a remarkable group of emerging artists, such as Franz Erhard Walther, Daniel Richter, Martin Kippenberger, Horst Janssen, Vicco von Bülow (Loriot), and Otto Waalkes.
Following the German traditions of Dada and Fluxus as well as the German Neo-expressionism of the 1980s, Meese delves into themes of power, desire, and identity, showcasing a stylistic boldness and flamboyance. His artistic technique deliberately appears garish and employs a seemingly careless approach that disguises a deliberate spirit of an enfant terrible. With a disregard for preconceived notions of painting, he fearlessly employs tubes of acrylics, crayons, graphite, ink, and watercolor on his canvas.
His artwork frequently features collages incorporating found objects, original photographs of political figures (or himself), and graffiti-like inscriptions of political manifestos (or his own) in a combination of untranslatable German and English neologisms.Through this unconventional approach, he creates a visual language that challenges conventional artistic norms.
At the core of Meese's artistic vision lies a personal mythology, a fusion of historical, legendary, and science fiction references. Within this mythological realm, he summons forth figures and heroes, weaving a narrative tapestry that blurs the boundaries between reality and imagination.
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Works
Jonathan Meese b. 1970, Tokyo, Japan
Napoleon, 2006Bronze185 × 68 × 67 cmFurther images
'When I say 'I don't make art', then in the end it only means that I don't have any recipes on how to make it. I believe that art produces..."When I say 'I don't make art', then in the end it only means that I don't have any recipes on how to make it. I believe that art produces itself and then decides for itself what it is. We always want to prescribe to art what it has to be. But there are no prohibitions, only personal tastes." – Jonathan MeeseExhibitions
Hunky Dory. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Mosco. Mar–Apr 2007Publications
Catalogue Hunky Dory, Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. pp. 42–43ExhibitionsPublicationsViewing Rooms