Albert Oehlen

Albert Oehlen (b. 1954) is a German painter and installation artist known for his experimental and iconoclastic approach to abstract and figurative painting. A leading figure in German Neo-Expressionism and the "New Savages," Oehlen studied at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Hamburg under Sigmar Polke and collaborated with artists such as Martin Kippenberger and Jörg Immendorff. Inspired by Willem de Kooning, Oehlen describes his work as “post-abstract,” blending diverse methods, styles and media to explore the boundaries of painting.

 

Oehlen's practice often revolves around specific formal problems, which he tackles through experimentation. His works include "Bionist paintings" (1988–1994), where he integrated computer-generated images and "Tree paintings” which blur the line between figuration and abstraction. He has also worked with collages, advertising posters and finger painting. His style is characterized by bold, chaotic compositions, deliberate use of "ugly" color combinations and a mix of expressive and mechanical elements. Oehlen frequently critiques painting traditions and modern image reproduction, portraying the "traps" of art through intentionally disjointed and subversive works.

 

Throughout his career, Oehlen has exhibited widely at major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the Saatchi Gallery (London) and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. His works are recognized for challenging conventions and playfully deconstructing the history of painting. Oehlen lives and works between Switzerland and Spain.