Jonathan Meese

Jonathan Meese is a contemporary German artist, who is well-known for cutting-edge and provocative works of art, which explore a variety of topics such as power sexuality violence history, and self-identification. Jonathan Meese's art spans a range of mediums including, paintings, sculptures, and installations.

Biography of Jonathan Meese

This artist was born in Tokyo, Japan and later moved to Germany, where he grew up in the surroundings of post-war society. After returning to Germany in the mid-1970s, Jonathan faced challenges adapting due to English-speaking background. He spent part of his youth in Scotland and later studied at the Hochschule fr Bildende Knste in Hamburg from 1995 to 1998 under prominent figures like Daniel Richter and Martin Kippenberger. Although he did not complete degree, Meese quickly began to receive attention in the art world, especially for his space installations. He now lives and works in Berlin and Ahrensburg. Throughout professional life, Jonathan has used his education and upbringing as a source of ideas for creative work delving into the darker aspects of human nature.

Jonathan Meese's Famous Paintings and Installations

One of Meese's most significant works is the multimedia installation "Mama Johnny" created in 2006 for the Deichtorhallen Hamburg in Germany. This installation features a combination of sculptures paintings and videos with a massive sculpture of a woman head called "Mama Johnny". As its centerpiece the work delved into multilayered concepts such as power identity and mythology, making it one of Meese's most recognized pieces.

Jonathan also gained attention for a role in the film "Sonnenallee" where he played a hallucinogenic artist and designed the film's backdrop. This experience was a notable point in his career, showcasing multifaceted abilities as both an artist and performer.

Jonathan Meese's Art Style

Jonathan Meese’s art is typified by a lively and frenzied style, drawing inspiration from German Expressionism, Surrealism, and popular artistic movements. Jonathan Meese's paintings often feature bold colors and striking imagery, incorporating symbols and motifs from German history and mythology. Jonathan frequently explores personalities from world history, primordial myths, and heroes, using his art to comment on the dark aspects of human nature and the dangers of unchecked power.

Artist's way of looking to art is multimedia, including paintings, collages, drawings, and writings. Jonathan also designs theater sets, having written and starred in the play "De Frau: Dr. Poundaddylein - Dr. Ezodysseusszeusuzur" in 2007 at the Volksbühne Theater. His works are often provocative, incorporating controversial elements like Nazi symbols, which he insists are meant to challenge rather than endorse.

Notable Exhibitions and Collaborations

Jonathan Meese has exhibited works in a variety of national and globe-wide exhibitions. His notable exhibitions include "Meese's Odyssey" at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich and "Jonathan Meese: Sculpture" at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami. He has also participated in a number of important collaborations, such as with composer Karlheinz Essl for the installation "FRÄULEIN ATLANTIS" at the Essl Museum in Vienna.

In 2010, Meese came up with an acclaimed stage design for Wolfgang Rihm's opera "Dionysus" at the Salzburg Festival. He was also offered a contract to direct a new production of "Parsifal" for the Bayreuth Festival in 2016, though it was later rescinded due to financial constraints.

Despite success, Meese has not been without controversy. In 2013, he was brought to court for performing the Hitler salute as part of a stage show in Kassel. He defended the gesture as an artistic way of communicating and was ultimately acquitted by the District Court of Kassel.

Jonathan Meese continues to be a polarizing figure in contemporary art, recognized for wildly imaginative and controversial artworks that push the limits of artistic interpretation.