Jonathan Meese b. 1970, Tokyo, Japan

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.