Jakob Schöning

Jakob Schöning (°1992, Stade, Germany), in his painting endeavors, seeks to unravel the mysteries of the human figure through an abstract-expressionist lens. He is deeply intrigued by paintings that are neither entirely non-representational nor purely figurative, often referred to as the "third way". This fascination has long held his attention. Schöning believes that the essence of his art lies not just in the end result, but in the creative process of painting itself. By engaging with the blank canvas in a gesturally expressive and intuitively non-representational manner, he establishes the groundwork for his artworks. His physical interaction with the canvas is palpable in the final pieces, evident through elliptical hand and arm movements and anti-naturalistic coloring. ​ In subsequent layers of color, Schöning consciously integrates figurative elements into the abstract base, creating a synthesis of the two extremes—non-representational and representational. This approach generates tension and opens new perspectives on familiar themes, which he finds particularly compelling. The interpretation of his paintings, where motifs seem to fluctuate between obscurity and clarity, and color clusters morph into recognizable figures and back again, is left to the viewer. Schöning's primary interest lies in fostering a diversity of interpretations in his group portrayals. ​ Notably, he refrains from using any templates or models in his submitted works, enhancing their instinctive qualities. Schöning's approach is not to delve into the psyche of the depicted figures but to express fluctuating states of mind through gesture, style, and color choice. In doing so, he reveals more about himself than the figures, who are often depicted as being shielded with helmets.