Stefan à Wengen

Stefan à Wengen, born in 1964, is one of the most important figurative painters in the contemporary German art world. An encounter with one of his paintings goes hand in hand with immediate recognition: old-masterly in stupendous quality and excellent technique, the subject is placed on the picture surface in predominantly dark, black-brown or gray colors. Although the paintings are highly accessible at first glance, a closer look leaves an irritating impression. A horse on wheels, historical clothing worn by a monkey, and then certain motifs that seem familiar. Moments of irritation provide the mental pause, the second look, which is so essential for these pictures.

à Wengen, who comes from a family of painters from Basel, quotes pictorial topoi from the cultural memory of Western European society. He questions the authenticity and reliability of common memory, our abilities to interpret and understand, and also the ability of images to narrate by collaging motifs into new contexts.

Submitted by Bernhard Knaus Fine Art