LONDON.- Ronchini Gallery is presenting the second solo exhibition of works by the Berlin based artist Jens Wolf. Featuring all new paintings and a large scale, site-specific mural, the exhibition continues to explore Wolf’s quintessential exploration of colours, shapes, and flatness.

Taking inspiration from abstract movements of the 20th century including artists such as Frank Stella and Josef Albers, Wolf is a key figure in the development of process art and is from the same generation of artists such as Mark Grotjahn. Wolf’s process begins by putting pen to paper in the form of small-scale pencil drawings. He then transfers the shapes he created onto plywood “pattern boards” and experiments with colour and different colour combinations to decide how the images will look on a larger scale. The use of the plywood emphasises the flatness of the geometric imagery.

The smooth and precise nature of traditional geometric abstraction is transformed in Wolf’s practice by his unique use of imperfections, which have been integral to his practice and show the hand of the artist. The conscious rough, unfinished elements on the plywood paintings and the natural grain of the plywood create a strong contrast to the softer appearance of the overall painting. There is a very specific feeling created by those obvious elements of distress in the painting, suggesting that there is more than one layer to explore, both metaphorically as well as literally.

These techniques of precision, experimentation and flatness are all transferred from the plywood and onto the wall in his murals. Wolf has been creating murals since his early career, but has recently been working on larger, more expansive murals, mostly from fabric and aluminium foil.

Jens Wolf (b. 1967, Heilbronn, Germany) lives and works in Berlin. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe under Helmut Dorner and Luc Tuymans. Solo exhibitions include: Ronchini Gallery, London (2015, 2018); Hammelehle und Ahrens Gallery, Cologne (2018, 2016, 2012); Max Weber Six Friedrich Gallery, Munich (2017, 2013, 2011); Nosbaum & Reding Art Contemporain, Luxembourg (2015 and 2012). Group exhibitions include: Cracks in Reality: Gavin Turk / Jens Wolf, MARTa Herford, Herford (2017); Wendezeiten, Kunsthalle, CCA, Andratx, Mallorca (2015); 2000+ Neu im Saarlandmuseum, Saarlandmuseum, Moderne Galerie, Saarbrücken (2013); and Bilder über Bilder: Diskursive Malerei von Albers bis Zobernig aus der Daimler Kunst Sammlung, MUMOK Museum Moderner Kunst, Vienna (2010).

His work is included in numerous permanent collections including: Daimler Contemporary, Berlin; MARTa Herford Museum, Herford; Sammlung zeitgenössischer Kunst der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Bonn; Kunsthalle - CCA Andratx, Spain; Saarland Museum, Saarbrücken, Germany; The Zabludowicz Art Trust, London; and multiple FRAC Collections in France.