Born 1973 in Maglegaard, Denmark. Lives in Berlin, DE.
Sergej Jensen has devoted a long period to painting in an elegant, minimalist style that emphasises the materials that usually serve as a base for the paintings – textiles. His works encompass both material and formal references, from Blinky Palermo’s 1960s and 70s fabric paintings to Michael Krebber’s works from the 2000s on a ground of manufactured textiles. Like some of his precursors, but devoid of nostalgia, Jensen often uses many different kinds of found, recycled materials, including linen, silk, muslin, wool, sacking, which all share the same muted colours. Combining the pieces of cloth with rambling stitches, bleaching and staining them or applying other materials to the surface of the canvas, he creates tactile, quiet works with a subtle touch of humour and irony. The titles of these works often refer to something entirely concrete that has served as their starting point, as in the work exhibited here, Untitled (Tintenfisch), where part of the work consists of a piece of fabric with a pattern of octopuses. Film-making and performance art also constitute a vital part of Jensen’s oeuvre, along with music.
Education
1996–2002 Städelschule, Frankfurt am Main, DE
Selected bibliography
Daniel Birnbaum: “Best of 2008: Painting in spite of everything I”, Artforum,
Dezember, 2008
Sabine Breitwieser: “Best of 2008: Sergej Jensen and Henrik Olesen (Pinakothek der
Moderne, Munich)“, Artforum, December, 2008
Eichler, Dominic Eichler: “A Matter of Material”, Frieze, September, 2008
Saskia Draxler: “Sergej Jensen, Galerie Neu, Berlin“ Artforum/CRITICS’ PICKS,
artforum.com, 22.03.2008
Sergej Jensen – Stefan Müller, Kunstverein Braunschweig,
Braunschweig 2003