contemporary paintings, drawings, watercolors
Damien Hirst is a seminal figure in contemporary art, well-known for his provocative and often controversial works that explore themes of death, rebirth, and the boundaries of art itself. As a leading member of the Young British Artists (YBAs) in the 1990s, Hirst catapulted to fame with his innovative approach to art that combines the techniques of installation, sculpture, and painting.
Damien Hirst's early career was marked by his organization of the pivotal "Freeze" exhibition in 1988, showcasing his and his peers' work, which caught the attention of influential art collectors. This period laid the groundwork for his signature works, including the 'Natural History' series, where animals such as sharks, sheep, and cows are preserved in formaldehyde, challenging viewers to confront the nature of existence and the inevitability of death.
Among Damien Hirst's most iconic pieces is "The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living," featuring a tiger shark suspended in formaldehyde, and "For the Love of God," a platinum cast of an 18th-century human skull encrusted with 8,601 flawless diamonds. These works exemplify Hirst's exploration of mortality and the commodification of art.
Damien Hirst's 'Spot Paintings' and 'Spin Paintings' further demonstrate his challenge to traditional notions of authorship and the creative process, often involving teams of assistants in their production. These series play with concepts of randomness, control, and the aesthetic joys of color and form, pushing the boundaries of painting as a medium.
In 2017, Hirst embarked on "Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable," an ambitious project that filled Venetian museums with artifacts from a fictional ancient shipwreck. This project, blending reality and fiction, invited audiences to question the authenticity and value of art, showcasing Hirst's ongoing interest in storytelling and myth-making within the context of contemporary culture.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Damien Hirst represents a pivotal figure whose works challenge, provoke, and inspire. His ability to blur the lines between art, science, and commerce has left an indelible mark on the art world, making his pieces highly sought after by collectors around the globe.
Stay updated on Damien Hirst's latest projects, exhibitions, and sales by signing up for dedicated art newsletters. This subscription will ensure you're informed about new opportunities to engage with the work of one of the most influential artists of our time.
Jonathan Meese is a German painter, sculptor, performance artist and installation artist based in Berlin and Hamburg. Meese's (often multi-media) works include paintings, collages, drawings and writing. He also designs theater sets and wrote and starred in a play, De Frau: Dr. Poundaddylein — Dr. Ezodysseusszeusuzur in 2007 at the Volksbühne Theater. He is mainly concerned with personalities of world history, primordial myths and heroes. Jonathan Meese lives and works in Ahrensburg and Berlin.
Jonathan Meese is a German painter, sculptor, performance artist and installation artist based in Berlin and Hamburg. Meese's (often multi-media) works include paintings, collages, drawings and writing. He also designs theater sets and wrote and starred in a play, De Frau: Dr. Poundaddylein — Dr. Ezodysseusszeusuzur in 2007 at the Volksbühne Theater. He is mainly concerned with personalities of world history, primordial myths and heroes. Jonathan Meese lives and works in Ahrensburg and Berlin.
Jonathan Meese is a German painter, sculptor, performance artist and installation artist based in Berlin and Hamburg. Meese's (often multi-media) works include paintings, collages, drawings and writing. He also designs theater sets and wrote and starred in a play, De Frau: Dr. Poundaddylein — Dr. Ezodysseusszeusuzur in 2007 at the Volksbühne Theater. He is mainly concerned with personalities of world history, primordial myths and heroes. Jonathan Meese lives and works in Ahrensburg and Berlin.
Katherine Bernhardt is an artist based in St. Louis, Missouri.
Bernhardt is known for painting consumer symbols, tropical animals, and every day objects over bright flat fields of color in an expressionistic and almost abstract style.
Bernhardt has also been involved in numerous collaborations within the art and fashion industries. She has also collaborated with Flaunt magazine, EDUN, and Miss Sixty.
Cornelia Schleime is a German painter, performer, filmmaker and author. She studied painting and graphic arts at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts before becoming a member of the underground art scene. She was awarded the Hannah Höch Lifetime Achievement Award from the State of Berlin in 2016.
Schleime's painting style is inspired by artists that were a strong influence in her classical studies such as Bacon and Balthus, Monet, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh.
Schleime has focused since the 1990s on figures and large-format portraits. Sources of inspiration are glossy magazines, reproductions of all kinds, but also personal photographs or snapshots found at flea markets. Through the intuitive act of drawing or painting, she turns those she depicts into something creative of her own, projecting them in new roles, symbolically emphasising the poses encountered or highlighting aspects with a touch of fantasy and irony.
Christian Awe is a German urban artist known for his large-scale murals.
He was educated at the University of Art in Berlin, where he lives and works.
Christian Awe describes his work as urban expressionist painting, his abstract works are saturated with vivid colors. Awe uses spray paint and acrylics, ink and watercolor, marker and oil pastel. His technique is characterized by scraping off the top layers of applied paint in order to expose those already hidden.
Christian Awe is a German urban artist known for his large-scale murals.
He was educated at the University of Art in Berlin, where he lives and works.
Christian Awe describes his work as urban expressionist painting, his abstract works are saturated with vivid colors. Awe uses spray paint and acrylics, ink and watercolor, marker and oil pastel. His technique is characterized by scraping off the top layers of applied paint in order to expose those already hidden.
Christian Awe is a German urban artist known for his large-scale murals.
He was educated at the University of Art in Berlin, where he lives and works.
Christian Awe describes his work as urban expressionist painting, his abstract works are saturated with vivid colors. Awe uses spray paint and acrylics, ink and watercolor, marker and oil pastel. His technique is characterized by scraping off the top layers of applied paint in order to expose those already hidden.
Heimo Zobernig is an Austrian artist who works in a variety of media from painting and sculpture to site specific installation and design.
Thomas Zipp is a German artist, sculptor and installer who lives and works in Berlin.
He graduated from the Staedelschule in Frankfurt and the Slade School of Art in London. Zipp's work comes in the form of paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and installations.
Römer + Römer, consisting of Nina and Torsten Römer, is an acclaimed German-Russian artist duo known for their vibrant and immersive paintings. Born in different countries, with Nina hailing from Moscow, Russia, in 1978, and Torsten from Aachen, Germany, in 1968, they both met during their studies at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, where they became Master Students under A.R. Penck. Since 1998, they have collaborated as both a couple and a creative duo, making Berlin their home and workspace since 2000.
Their unique approach to art often involves engaging with contemporary culture and events, as seen in their diverse exhibitions. From capturing the essence of the Burning Man festival in "Burning Man – Electric Sky" to exploring social themes in "Generalstreik," their work spans a broad spectrum of subjects. Notably, their participation in the 56th Venice Biennale and exhibitions across various cities showcases their international recognition and appeal.
Römer + Römer's method of creation is deeply collaborative, emphasizing communication and joint creativity over individual genius. This dynamic has allowed them to navigate the complexities of working closely together, transforming potential conflicts into constructive discussions. Their work is characterized by a rich, pointillist technique that marries traditional painting with digital pixelation, creating a bridge between classical art forms and contemporary digital aesthetics.
For art collectors and experts, Römer + Römer's work offers a fresh perspective on landscape and portrait painting, infused with modern themes and innovative techniques. Their pieces are not only visually striking but also thought-provoking, inviting viewers to contemplate the intersections of art, technology, and society.
Stay informed about Römer + Römer's latest projects and exhibitions by subscribing to updates from art news platforms and galleries showcasing their work. This ensures access to the latest on sales, exhibitions, and new pieces by this dynamic duo, further enriching your collection and understanding of contemporary art.
Eva & Adele are an artistic couple who claim to have "landed their time machines" in Berlin after the Wall fell in 1989, claiming to be "hermaphrodite twins from the future". Both refuse to tell their real name or age. They are famous mainly for sharing an invented gender, which is neither male nor female.
They are also known for their performance art, they have been represented by an art gallery since 1997, as they make paintings, video art, photography and costume design. They also have their own perfume line and a watch with Swatch.
They have been recognized as the world's longest running performance art duo and are often photographed as fashion icons at art events, like Art Basel Miami Beach and the Venice Biennale.
Thomas Helbig is a German painter and sculptor.
Thomas Helbig studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich and at Goldsmiths, University of London from 1989 to 1996. He lives and works in Berlin.
Although Helbig focused primarily on painting during his training, he now works with various media. Sculpture, painting and drawing have a balanced significance within the overall work. The starting point for the sculptures is often an already existing object, found at a flea market or in a second-hand shop. From the found object, mutating hybrids emerge in a process of construction and deconstruction, which communicate with each other in their many forms.
XOOOOX is the first German street artist whose work is sold on the international art market. As with Banksy, the true identity behind his pseudonym is unknown.
Andreas Schulze is a German painter.
Andreas Schulze first began showing alongside neo-expressionist artists in the 1980s, although his work was considerably less gestural than that of his contemporaries. The artist instead opted for more rounded forms, which he used to create a playful, humorous style of figuration. Typical subjects included the contents interior spaces — such as pillows, lamps, and furniture — which he merged with more ominous abstraction.