Jan-Luka Schmitz

Jan-Luka Schmitz in his Düsseldorf Studio. Courtesy of the Artist, November 2020

JAN-LUKA SCHMITZ

Jan-Luka Schmitz’s (b. Düsseldorf, 1992) paintings are an exploration of space, dimension, movement and volume within a storytelling framework. The human subjects he depicts are expressive, distorted and emotionally charged - at the intersection of figuration and abstraction. A common thread that runs through his body of work is the intriguing and oxymoronic relationship between tragedy and humor. With his extreme angles, flattened forms, twisted objects and use of colour, Schmitz’s work can be seen as a 21st century rendition of Expressionism in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. He brings his practice further and transcends time; as his funny characters reference contemporary pop culture, comics and the digital realm - specific to modernity. The artist’s paintings are compelling both on a compositional and a subject-matter level. At first glance, the viewer is captivated by both his sophisticated manner of painting, and the twisted characters that spread across the canvas. Although the scenes convey a strong narrative, Jan-Luka Schmitz’s paintings don’t tell a narrow tale. Rather, they are a puzzle that leaves us with the task of deciphering them with our imagination; how the story and scene unveils itself is in the audience’s hands. The paintings seek entry to the viewer’s inner space, the space within oneself, and the dialogue that occurs between the conscious and unconscious mind. Although seemingly light and joyful at first, the characters in Schmitz’s paintings are the opposite. His characters’ eyes come in all shapes and sizes - but evoke a similar feeling regardless of their form. For instance, some of them possess beady eyes, which is an important and recurring aspect in his work. These eyes, though sweet-looking, are animalistic and driven at the same time. Schmitz often plays with what is perceived as kind and innocent. These characteristics, inhabited by a great energy and dynamism, take on a threatening character in the overall composition of the work. There is also a repeated interpretation in his paintings of a little rascal that wreaks havoc in his own world.

There is both subtle and obvious struggle in the artist’s characters. The struggle lies both within and with the outside world. There is a strong tension in their physicality, which is visually apparent in the form of a “shell” they want to escape but cannot. For instance, their cracked and de-formed bodies give rise to strange feelings in the viewer. These contortions are allegorical - representing our efforts to overcome the burdens of tradition. These paintings illustrate this pain; but their joyful elements bring forth a celebration of the subjects’ transformation towards positivity. For Jan-Luka Schmitz, the representation of the inner and the outer dialogue is critical. The characters’ struggle resonates in a tragic yet humorous way, creating a lasting impact on the viewer. Stylistically, his works take us on a journey from Abstraction to Figuration, and from Narration to Atmospheric auras that work harmoniously as one. Borrowing from these such movements, Schmitz integrates them together with flair and ease - recalling art historical tradition and paving the way with his own distinctive style. The many layers and facets to his work creates mystery as the paintings’ stories are never concluded on the canvas and leave ample room for interpretation.

The artist lives and works in Düsseldorf. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts (Kunstakademie Düsseldorf) in 2019 where he studied under Professor Andreas Schulze. He was a guest with Dietmar Lutz and Thomas Scheibitz. Schmitz’s group shows to date include the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, NRW Forum and Künstlerhaus Bethanien.

Jan-Luka Schmitz Heirquake, 2021 Acrylic on Canvas 190 × 240 cm

Jan-Luka Schmitz Dünentanzerl (Dune Dance), 2021 Acrylic on Canvas 200 × 290 cm

Jan-Luka Schmitz The Compass, 2021 Acrylic on Canvas 140 × 100 cm

Jan-Luka Schmitz Primetime, 2021 Acrylic on Canvas 180 × 190 cm

Jan-Luka Schmitz Stunt Double, 2021 Acrylic on Canvas 220 × 150 cm

Jan-Luka Schmitz The Forecast, 2021 Acrylic on Canvas 200 × 140 cm

Jan-Luka Schmitz Eis (Ice cream), 2020 Acrylic on Canvas 120 x 100 cm

Jan-Luka Schmitz Samtmann, 2021 Acrylic on Canvas 220 x 150 cm

Jan-Luka Schmitz Lunch scene, 2020 Acrylic on Canvas 150 x 200 cm

Jan-Luka Schmitz Unicycle Master, 2020 Acrylic on Canvas 200 x 120 cm

Jan-Luka Schmitz Jägerlein, 2019 Acrylic on Canvas 150 x 180 cm

Jan-Luka Schmitz*5. August 1992, Düsseldorf

2012-2019 Fine Arts, Kunstakademie Düsseldorf

2013-2019 Class Prof. Andreas Schulze

2016-2017 Guest student with Dietmar Lutz

2018

2019

Guest student with Prof. Thomas Scheibitz

Akademiebrief, Master student Prof. Andreas Schulze

SCOLARSHIPS

2017

2019

St. Moritz Art Academy

DHCS Stipendium, Kunstverein für die Rheinlande

und Westfalen

2013 2014

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

EXHIBITIONS

Uno Nessuno Centomila, Palazzo Capris, Turin75. Bergische Kunstausstellung, Kunstmuseum SolingenKunstgenerator 2022, Städtische Galerie im Park, ViersenStudioscapes: 2021, OnlineEmbryonze, OnlineIn order of appearance, Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, DüsseldorfJust A-Sittin‘ and A-Rockin‘, Parkhaus im Malkasten, Düsseldorf Avant la lettre, Offraum 8, DüsseldorfWie viele Spuren das sind, Hebebühne, WuppertalCurated shame, Hotel Friends, DüsseldorfFLITZ, Künstlerhaus Bethanien, BerlinMassephase, Sprink, DüsseldorfMalbüro, Gold+Beton, KölnHängung Total, Sonneundsolche, Düsseldorf Andophilukanna, Im Goldenen, DüsseldorfDo not persecute me, Kunst im Hafen, Düsseldorf VENTILATOR, Sonneundsolche, DüsseldorfALBUM RELEASE, LAB Studio, DüsseldorfLIFE Otica, Neuland, BochumAndo Phil Luke, K29, DüsseldorfFull of Emotion, Pop 68, KölnDienstag Abend Fieber, NRW Forum, Düsseldorf2. Kölner Salonabend, Staatsgalerie Delirien, KölnBCN DUS, Hangar, BarcelonaDUS BCN, Werft 77, DüsseldorfDas ist alles deine Schulze, Philara, Düsseldorf

2021