THOMAS JESSEN

 

“I paint what I know”

 

Although Thomas Jessen grew up in the German countryside, his paintings are hardly simple reproductions of the gardens and scenery that surround him.  Jessen creates art that serves as a counterpart – not a reference – to life.  His works possess an immediacy and strength that transcend the canvas and lead the viewer toward understanding the touch, feel, and even smell of his subject matter.  This element is meant to close the distance between art and audience that has been perpetuated by modern media, television, and photography.  His visual images pull the viewer into an environment rich with texture, color, and emotion.  Through paint, Jessen opens insight into the meeting of two worlds: imagination and image.

 

 

Biography

 

1958           Born in Luebbecke/Westphalia

1980-1986   Academy of Fine Art/Duesseldorf

1985           Masterclass of Alfonso Hueppi

1985           Paris – Stipend from NRW for Studies at Cite des Arts

1986           Exhibition Darmstadt “Sezession” Exhibition Art Museum Krakow, Poland

1987           Exhibition Duesseldorf “Prager Haengung”Art Prize Lingen

1988           Exhibition Brakel Exhibition Gehrden Cloister Exhibition Avignon, France Exhibition Galerie Kadenz, Geldern

1989           Exhibition Museum Bad Berleburg Exhibition Crypt Church Muenster Exhibition Abteiberg Moenchengladbach Publication of Catalogue

1990           Exhibition Galerie Get Veem,Rotterdam Hall of Generals, City of Viersen with Catalogue

1991           Exhibition “Passionplays” Christkoenig, Viersenwith Catalogue Exhibition Galerie Bach & Gayck, Bochum

1992           Exhibition Bank of Dresden Foundation Juergen Ponto Exhibition Galerie Bach & Gayck, Bochum Prize “Karl Schwesig” Museum Gelsenkirchen

1993           Prize “Karl Schwesig” Museum Bergkamen Exhibition Art Museum Ehrenhof, Duesseldorf Prize “10 Year Anniversary Lingen Art Prize” Exhibition Galerie Het Veem, Rotterdam

1994           Exhibition “Berigische Kunstausstellung”Klingen Museum, Solingen Exhibition “Large Painting Cyclus” Dormagen

1995           Exhibition “Never a dull moment” Bochum Exhibition Jasim Gallery, Duesseldorf Exhibition at Historical Church St. Anna Exhibition Galerie Schroeder, Cologne Exhibition “A Chapel” Galerie Johnssen, Munich

1996           Exhibition Galerie Schneiderei, Cologne Exhibition Eslohe, Sauerrland Exhibition “Letzter Aufguss” Duesseldorf

1997           Exhibition “14 Artists, 14 Churches”Region Eifel Exhibition “Kunst am Bau” St. Markus, Weser Exhibition “Malerei” Berlin Exhibition “Portrait” Galerie Schneiderei, Cologne Exhibition Galerie Inge Baeker, St. Gereon, Cologne Exhibition “Perspektiven” Munich

1998           Exhibition Galerie Schneiderei Exhibition City Art Museum, Muenster /catalogue Exhibition Catholic Academy, Muenster Exhibition Art Association Elf, Berlin Exhibition Galerie Inge Baecker, Cologne Exhibition “Realismus?”  Cologne Exhibition “Kunst am Bau” Dortmund

1999           Exhibition Max-Planck-Institute for Neuro-Psychological Research, Leipzig Exhibition “Madonna Fuer Wuppertal” Cologne Exhibition Carol Johnsson, Munich

2000           Museum Schnietgen, Cologne Exhibition Art Association Genthiner Elf, Berlin Exhibition Galerie Schneiderei Cologne Exhibition “Farbraeume” Museum of Diocese Paderborn, catalogue

2001           Exhibition “Stein und Bein” Catholic Academy, Ruhr Exhibition “Himmelserde” St. Rochus, Cologne

2001           Exhibition “Et in Arcadia Edo” Vienna,catalogue Exhibition “Et in Arcadia Edo” Art Museum Lingen Exhibition “Kunst am Bau” Paderborn Exhibition “Kunst am Bau” St. Marien, Grasdorf

2002           Exhibition Ksi, Bad Honnef Exhibition “Aktuell” Galerie Schmalfuss, Marburg Art Collection Volpinum, Vienna Exhibition  Cloister, Hoexter-Brenkhausen Exhibition Art Association Genthiner Elf, Berlin

2003           Exhibition Galerie Michael Schmalfuss, Marburg Exhibition Galerie Christine Hoelz, Duesseldorf Exhibition St. Matthias, Euskirchen Art Prize “20 Years Lingen Art Prize” Lingen Exhibition “Ave Maria” Marienkirche, Berlin Exhibition “Kunst am Bau” St. Maria Immaculata Exhibition Hall 6 Galerie Hoelz, Duesseldorf Exhibition “Straw to Gold” Hall 6, Duesseldorf