Jenny Brosinski
"When I'm working on my paintings, I don't think about how I make art. At best I don't think at all, I just make decisions on the canvas - that's funny because in my everyday life outside the studio I don't like making decisions at all."
Jenny Brosinski often uses unfinished canvases to create large mixed media paintings that are characterised by a light and sloppy aesthetic. The artist is best known for her canvas compositions with her signature lightness and simplicity - deconstructing her canvases into new creations by bringing together classic oil colours with dirt, dust, household cleaners or machine wash.
She seeks to capitalise on the materials she uses, such as linen and cotton, by using their textural qualities on the canvas to evoke deeper and more emotional responses from the viewer. Her aesthetic allows for no lies and no tricks, every line and every trace is visible and becomes a clear assertion.
The artist lives and works in Berlin. She completed both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the Weißensee Art Academy in Berlin. Jenny Brosinski is represented by Galerie Almine Rech (Paris/New York/London/Brussel/Shanghai) and Berlin-based Galerie Wentrup, among others.
How, when and why did the collaboration with Jenny come about?
I met Jenny for the first time at one of her exhibitions in 2019. I was immediately fascinated by her work and knew that I wanted to realise an edition with her. It's difficult to describe exactly what the impulse was at that moment.
There is no rational answer to the question of how I choose my collaboration partners. I see the works and the process of transferring them to textiles begins immediately within me. And then I know that I want to work with this artist. So I was all the more delighted when I met Jenny in Berlin and we talked about a possible joint edition. Once you become enthusiastic about the works and then get to know the artists better, you want to be able to imagine working with this person.
It is very important to me not to simply print an artwork quickly on one of my pieces, but each edition is a detailed process and always takes place in close dialogue with the artist. And so I am also delighted that the exchange of ideas and suggestions with Jenny is so much enjoyable.
In the meantime, her artistic career has developed significantly; she is represented by Galerie Wentrup, Berlin, and by Almine Rech, with whom she has realised solo exhibitions in London and Shanghai. Her work has been shown in group exhibitions in Miami (The Margulies Collection) and in the exhibition 'Girl meets Girl', where she was shown with Rose Wylie and Katherine Bradford. And in between, she took the time to talk to me about the pieces in our collaborative edition. So far, a coat and a sweater have been created. And because her work is a great source of ideas for me, the realisation of further pieces is planned for this year.
Jenny Brosinski Edition
'Was it obvious to everybody else' – Coat
The coat from our edition features three elements from the work "Was it obvious to everybody else". The colour of the coat was chosen in reference to Jenny Brosinski's characteristic light paintings and is printed with an elaborate lining consisting of three parts that quote the work. The lining was made from a soft organic cotton fabric to showcase the particularly intense colours without the typical glossy shine of lining fabrics.
Fragments Sweater
The sweater shows elements from 10 different works by the artist. These were placed on the front and back so that they reflect the filigree nature of the work fragments. The number element has been embroidered on creating a tactile layer. The sweater is made from cotton grown in Germany. The special material makes it possible to wear a light but pleasantly soft jumper. The jumper is available in cream and black.
Text sources: Jenny Brosinski / Almine Rech / Choi & Lager / Wentrup (Larissa Kikol)