SKuehn_22_AmygdallaVertigo2048x1294.jpg

Life and Work

Susanne Kühn

Susanne Kühn, born 1969 in Leipzig, is internationally known as an outstanding protagonist of representational painting, especially for her color-intensive large-format paintings, where she elaborates scenes drawn from the most disparate influences in science, art history, fairy tales, children's books, comics, video games, nature, and urban architecture. These influences collide in her work, stradling the border between reality and fantasy. In addition to her paintings, the artist’s print works also make up a longstanding and independent aspect of her oeuvre.

The artist achieves the special tension characteristic of her works through the old master style precision of her observations of nature and architecture. These elements make up the framework of her scenes, allowing her to skillfully combine contemporary visual elements from the most diverse contexts of art history and popular culture. A fluid relationship unfolds between times, a temporal flow that culminates in the experimentation and interplay of all pictorial elements.
While in earlier works it was mainly young women, the artist’s friends and acquaintances, who populated the images, Kühn herself increasingly appears in her more recent works – a self-confident act of self-reflection as well as an assertion of one's own position as an artist. Recently, Kühn has also began to experiment with restraining her palette, sometime even to the point of leaving the images as black-and-white drawings on large-format canvases.

After studying at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst in Leipzig, Susanne Kühn lived in the USA for several years, where she studied at the School of Visual Arts and Hunter College in New York. This was followed by a Radcliffe Grant at the Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study at Harvard University. She was represented internationally by the Haunch of Venison Gallery until its closure last year. Beck & Eggeling has represented in Germany since 2013.
Works by Susanne Kühn can be found in important collections in Germany and abroad, such as the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City, the Museum Frieder Burda in Baden-Baden, the Museum für Neue Kunst in Freiburg, the Zabludowicz Art Trust in London, the Schwartz Art Collection of Harvard University, the Alison and Peter W. Klein Collection, the UBS Art Collection, and the Deutsche Bundesbank Collection.

Biography

1969 born in Leipzig, DE
1995 Diploma of painting and graphics at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig, Leipzig, DE
2015 professor chair for painting at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Nuremberg, DE

Prizes and Awards

2001 Stipendium des Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University, Cambridge, US
1995 Postgraduierten-Stipendium des DAAD für die School of Visual Arts and Hunter College, New York, US

Works (Selection)

Susanne Kühn, Pansy excited, 2023
Susanne Kühn, Pansy excited, 2023
Susanne Kühn, Pansy, 2023
Susanne Kühn, Pansy, 2023
Susanne Kühn, Zaungäste, 2023
Susanne Kühn, Zaungäste, 2023
Susanne Kühn, Augipede, 2022
Susanne Kühn, Augipede, 2022
Susanne Kühn, Zwei Freunde (Two Friends), 2022
Susanne Kühn, Luft- und Raumfahrt (Aeronautics and Space), 2016, © Susanne Kühn + VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Susanne Kühn, Wand, 2018, © Susanne Kühn & VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Susanne Kühn, Flash Sketch 8, 2020, © Susanne Kühn & VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Susanne Kühn, Spiegel, 2015
Susanne Kühn, 17. Juli 2014, 2014, © Susanne Kühn + VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Susanne Kühn, Schlechtes Wetter, 2014
Susanne Kühn, Green Flow (aus der Serie 'Wild Island'), 2013, © Susanne Kühn + VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Susanne Kühn, Forest, 2013, © Susanne Kühn + VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Susanne Kühn, Farewell, 2012
Susanne Kühn, Weed, 2012, © Susanne Kühn + VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Susanne Kühn, Color Code, 2012
Susanne Kühn, Regina liest, 2008

Solo exhibitions (selection)

2022 Susanne Kühn | Profliferation – Vasa, Auginella & other sprouts, Galerie für Gegenwartskunst - E-Werk, Freiburg, DE
2021 FLASH, Beck & Eggeling International Fine Art, Dusseldorf, DE
Susanne Kühn. Malerei ONsite, Kunstmuseum Celle, Celle, DE
upcoming: Museum der Bildenden Künste Leipzig (mit Peter Krauskopf), Leipzig, DE
2020 BANK – Inessa Hansch + Susanne Kühn,, Museum für Neue Kunst, Augustinermuseum, Freiburg, DE
2019 Palatte, Beck & Eggeling International Fine Art, Vienna, AT
Korrespondenzen - Bosch & Kühn. Susanne Kühn: Beastville, Gemäldegalerie der Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien zu Gast im Theatermuseum, Vienna, AT
2017 Susanne Kühn – Spaziergänge & andere Storys, Haus der Graphischen Sammlung des Augustinermuseums Freiburg, Freiburg, DE
2016 Susanne Kühn, OMI International Arts Center, New York, US
2015 Susanne Kühn, Galerie Kleindienst, Leipzig, DE
2014 Welt der Wilden Tiere, Beck & Eggeling International Fine Art, Dusseldorf, DE
2012 Works on Paper, Sala Uno, Rome, IT
Susanne Kühn, Städtische Galerie Offenburg, Offenburg, DE
2011 Garden Eden, Haunch of Venison, London
2010 Susanne Kühn, Kunstverein Lippe, Lippe, DE
Study of Landscape, Robert Goff Gallery, New York, US
2009 Susanne Kühn, Forum Kunst, Rottweil, DE
2008 Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver, US
Goff und Rosenthal, Berlin, DE
2007 Susanne Kühn, Kunstverein Freiburg, Freiburg, DE
New Paintings, Goff + Rosenthal, Berlin, DE
Drawings, Fred (London) Ltd., Leipzig, DE
2006 Paintings, Galerie Echolot, Berlin, DE
2005 Fred (London) Ltd., London
Goff + Rosenthal, New York, US
2004 Galerie Echolot, Berlin, DE
and Drawing, Galerie Kleindienst, Leipzig, DE
2003 Works on Paper, Bill Maynes Gallery, New York, US
2002 Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, US
2001 Recent Works, Bill Maynes Gallery, New York, US
2000 Drawings, Bill Maynes Gallery, New York, US
Samek Art Gallery, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, US
Drawings, Deutsches Konsulat, New York, US
1999 Paintings, Bill Maynes Gallery, New York, US
1997 Landschaften, Beck & Eggeling International Fine Art, Leipzig, DE

Group exhibitions (selection)

2020 Ausgepackt! 125 Jahre Geschichte(n) im Museum Natur und Mensch, Museum Natur und Mensch, Freiburg, DE
BE schenken, Beck & Eggeling, Dusseldorf, DE
2019 Geheimnis der Dinge. Malstücke, Kunsthalle Recklinghausen, Recklinghausen, DE
Come in. Interieurs, Beck & Eggeling International Fine Art, Dusseldorf, DE
2018 Gelb macht glücklich, Beck & Eggeling International Fine Art, Dusseldorf, DE
To catch a ghost, Museum für Neue Kunst, Freiburg, DE
“House for a Painting”, a large survey of objects by Susanne Kühn and Inessa Hansch, FRAC Alsace, Sélestat, FR
Geheimnis der Dinge. Malstücke, Beck & Eggeling International Fine Art, Dusseldorf, DE
2017 Multiverse: Stories of This World and Beyond, Kemper at the Crossroads, Kansas City, US
Strange Beauty, Beck & Eggeling International Fine Art, Dusseldorf, DE
2016 Den Wald vor lauter Bäumen..., Museum Frieder Burda, Baden-Baden, DE
Ein Baum ist ein Baum ist ein Baum, Beck & Eggeling International Fine Art, Dusseldorf, DE
2015 Dwelling among Mountains, Kemper Museum, Kansas City, US
Die bessere Hälfte – Malerinnen aus Leipzig, Kunsthalle der Sparkasse Leipzig, Leipzig, DE
2014 Drive the Chance, 100plus, Zurich, CH
2013 Wahlverwandtschaften. Aktuelle Malerei und Zeichnung aus dem Museum Frieder Burda, Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf, CH
Wetterdämmerung – Ein Blick zurück, Sammlung Alison und Peter W. Klein, Eberdingen-Nussdorf, DE
Inside, Merkur Art Gallery, Istanbul, TR
2012 Contemporary German Painting: The Future Lasts Forever, Interalia, Seoul, KR
Malerei der ungewissen Gegenden, Kunstverein Frankfurt, Frankfurt/ Main, DE
The Observer, Haunch of Venison, London
von Dix bis Picasso, Kunsthalle Emden, Emden, DE
salondergegenwart, Hamburg, DE
2011 The Big Reveal, Kemper Museum, Kansas City, US
Hello. Goodbye. Die Sammlung, Museum für Neue Kunst, Freiburg, DE
2010 Hängung#6, Sammlung Alison und Peter W. Klein, Eberdingen-Nussdorf, DE
Die Bilder tun was mit mir – Einblicke in die Sammlung Frieder Burda, Museum Frieder Burda, Baden-Baden, DE
2009 Carte Blanche IX, Galerie für zeitgenössische Kunst, Leipzig, DE
2008 Future Tense: reshaping the landscape, Neuberger Museum of Art Purchase, New York, US
Böhmen liegt am Meer, Museum Frieder Burda, Baden-Baden, DE
2007 House Trip, Begleitausstellung Art Forum Berlin, Berlin, DE
Neue Malerei. Aus dem Museum Frieder Burda, Museum Frieder Burda, Baden-Baden, DE
Neue Malerei. Aus dem Museum Frieder Burda, Museum im Prediger, Schwäbisch Gmünd, DE
2006 Inaugural Exhibition, Goff + Rosenthal, Berlin, DE
Museum Frieder Burda, Museum Frieder Burda, Baden-Baden, DE
Dragon Veins, University of South Florida, Tampa, US
Dragon Veins, Contemporary Art Museum, Tampa, US
2005 Internationale Biennale für zeitgenössische Kunst, Prague, CZ
2004 EAST International, Norwich Gallery, London
Zweidimensionale 2004, Kunsthalle der Sparkasse Leipzig, Leipzig, DE
INdiVisible SITIES, Bill Maynes Gallery, New York, US
2002 Into the Woods, Bill Maynes Gallery, New York, US
Works on Paper, Bill Maynes Gallery, New York, US
Curious Terrain, Elizabeth Harris Gallery, New York, US
Postmodern Pastoral, Judy Ann Goldmann Fine Art, Boston, US
2001 Wet!, Luise Ross Gallery, New York, US
Chelsea Rising, Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, US
Wonderland, Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, US
2000 Kunstverein Freunde Aktueller Kunst, Städtisches Museum Zwickau, Zwickau, DE
Weatherspoon Art Museum, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, US

EXHIBITIONS AT BECK & EGGELING (SELECTION)

Publications

Susanne Kühn. FLASH

Susanne Kühn. FLASH

  • Artist: Susanne Kühn
    Editor: Ute Eggeling, Michael Beck
    Text: Susanne Kühn
    Design: Susanne Kühn
  • German
    Softcover, 24 x 32 cm
    62 pages, 22 illustrations
  • Beck & Eggeling Kunstverlag, 2021
    ISBN 978-3-94606325-4
  • 20 €
Order
Susanne Kühn. Welt der wilden Tiere

Susanne Kühn. Welt der wilden Tiere

  • Artist: Susanne Kühn
    Editor: Ute Eggeling, Michael Beck
    Text: Felicity Lunn im Gespräch mit Susanne Kühn
  • English, German
    Hardcover, 28 x 21,5 cm
    72 pages, 36 illustrations
  • Beck & Eggeling Kunstverlag, 2014
  • 25 €
Order
Further publications

bibliography

Susanne Kühn. FLASH, Beck & Eggeling Kunstverlag, Düsseldorf 2021
Bosch & Kühn. Susanne Kühn: Beastville, Gemäldegalerie der Akademie der bildenden Künste/Theatermuseum, Wien 2019
Susanne Kühn. Spaziergänge und andere Stories, Museum für Neue Kunst / Städtische Museen, Freiburg 2017
Susanne Kühn. WALK, Galerie Kleindienst, Leipzig 2015
Susanne Kühn. Welt der wilden Tiere - World of Wild Animals, Beck & Eggeling Kunstverlag, Düsseldorf 2014
Susanne Kühn. WERKE/WORKS 2006 - 2012, Städtische Galerie, Offenburg 2012
Die Bilder tun was mit mir... Einblicke in die Sammlung Museum Frieder Burda. Hatje Cantz, 2010
Susanne Kühn, Malerei und Zeichnung 2007 - 2009. Modo Verlag, 2009
Susanne Kühn. Künstler - Kritisches Lexikon der Gegenwartskunst, Text: Hans-Joachim Müller, Zeitverlag, 2008
The Upset – Young Contemporary Art, Gestalten Verlag, Berlin 2008
Susanne Kühn. Kunstverein Freiburg / Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Hatje Cantz, 2007
Dragon Veins. University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum, 2007
Neue Malerei. Erwerbungen 2002-2005, Museum Frieder Burda, Ostfildern, 2006
EAST International 2004, Norwich Gallery, Norwich School of Art and Design, Norwich 2004
Internationale Biennale für zeitgenössische Kunst, Nationalgalerie Prag, 2005
Chelsea Rising, Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans, 2001

News

BECK & EGGELING INTERNATIONAL FIANE ART · DÜSSELDORF · VIENNA — INFO@BECK-EGGELING.DE · WWW.BECK-EGGELING.DE

BILKER STR. 5 & 4 – 6 · D - 40213 DÜSSELDORF · T +49 211 4915890 — MARGARETENSTRASSE 5 /19 · A -1040 WIEN · T +43 1 581 1956