Jan-Ole Schiemann
Schiemann's work oscillates between abstract and figurative elements, comic drawings and constructed surfaces, gray values and paint mist surfaces. As with classic cartoon production, he uses primarily black ink applied to unprimed canvas. Superimposing multiple transparent layers creates an unusual sense of depth. Each additional plotted layer breaks up the original context piece by piece and creates new relationships between the visible background and image foreground. The viewer is encouraged to actively move around the image, in order to comprehend this themselves
Born and raised in Kiel, Jan-Ole Schiemann studied Fine Art at Kassel Academy and later graduated under the teachings of Professor Andreas Schulze at Duesseldorf College of Art. Schiemann has become one of the most prominent young artists of his generation with shows in Seoul, New York and Los Angeles. He is represented by the gallery Nino Mier in Los Angeles and Cologne.
How, when and why did the collaboration with Jan-Ole Schiemann come about?
At an exhibition in Cologne, we saw a Jan-Ole piece for the first time. We later visited him in his studio along with an artist friend. He was currently preparing for an Art Basel Miami Beach exhibition curated by Jeffrey Deitsch. I was completely fascinated by his style of painting and the depth of his work. Afterwards, I became more intensely involved with his work, and I resolved to win Jan-Ole and his distinctiveness as the next artist for the creation of a joint edition.
Edition
Conceptual transfer and the continuation of the artist's idea took the highest priority in the development of the exclusive collection. The starting point for the four-piece unisex line was Schiemann's work 'Distractingly Sexy' from 2017.
The implementation of the edition took place, as before, in close collaboration with the artist. The vision in the development of our editions is always to transport the art to the enthusiast via the textile and show the greatest respect for the work of the artist. We can only succeed if he is willing to let us participate in his world of ideas and willing to be part of the development process.
The second edition of 'Speaking Garments' is produced in a limited edition run of 100 and made in Germany by hand. Each garment is sold with a numbered edition certificate, hand-signed by the artist.
The mesh Jacket
Adopting the artist's layering technique, the cotton fabric of the jacket, the key piece of the collection, was initially given a print depicting the background of the painting. Another layer, which called for the stronger colors, was printed on a mesh material, which was then double-processed with the cotton. When worn, the two fabric layers stitched on top of each other collide with motion. The inside of the zipper jacket is printed with the final result of 'Distractingly Sexy'.
The kangaroo Hoodie
Creative subtleties also testify to the familiar understatement of the Speaking Garments collection. For example, the partial print on the front of the piece is tucked away in the kangaroo flap pocket.
The black and white Sweater
The sweater, partially cites the unfinished background of the work. Equally refined: the interior of the sweater also features a 'Distractingly Sexy' print - a luxury completely invisible to the outside world.
The T-shirt
A T-shirt rounds up the collection, sporting circular cut-outs in the piece - positioned at precise locations on the front and back, where they were removed from the image - and revealing a 'final version' of the painting.
Look
Speaking Garments is all about connecting and working with inspiring and motivating people in our intimate circle of friends. So it was a natural choice to create images with and by people who have a personal connection with both art and the artists we feature. That's why we are very happy to present Anh Chi Trinh and Matthew George McDonald-Bates from the band UMMN as the faces of our project.
