Key Takeaways 1d2d2j

• Sergej Jensen is a New York-based Danish artist known for his minimalist fabric art and abstract compositions.
• Jensen's paintings incorporate a variety of fabrics, including burlap, linen, silk, and wool, to create works that blur the line between abstraction and representation.
• His practice is characterized by a muted palette, gestural mark-making, and unconventional techniques like sewing, bleaching, stretching, and staining the cloth.
• Jensen's work challenges the formalist of painting's medium specificity, positioning his art within the broader context of contemporary abstract painting.
• The artist's use of distressed surfaces and tactile qualities invites the viewer to engage with the materiality of the artwork.

Sergej Jensen: the unconventional artist redefining minimalism 211e4h

Sergej Jensen is a Danish artist based in New York who redefines minimalist painting through innovative uses of textiles. He manipulates canvas by sewing, bleaching, stretching, or staining it, creating works that challenge traditional approaches. Known for his distinctive abstract pieces, Jensen often uses fabrics like burlap, linen, silk, and wool, blending abstraction with elements of representation in ways that push the boundaries of minimalist art.

His method highlights texture and small details, such as wool flecks or frayed edges, giving his canvases a nearly three-dimensional feel. By focusing on fabric techniques, Jensen transforms the canvas from a mere into a key component of the artwork itself, inviting a fresh appreciation of its material nature. His muted colors and bold gestures emphasize negative space, creating textured compositions that invite tactile exploration and challenge conventional painting norms.

Jensen often reuses materials from his previous projects. This self-reflection is a key part of his artistic process. His art involves sewing, bleaching, stretching, and staining fabrics with natural dyes, gouache, and acrylic. He sticks to a calm color scheme and uses gentle brushstrokes. This emphasizes the empty space and clear shapes in his work.

In his "Money Bag" series, Jensen sews cloth bank bags into geometric shapes. He also creates figurative pieces inspired by classic painting styles. He uses these motifs in new and unexpected ways.

Sergej Jensen's work has been shown in top museums and galleries. Places like MoMA PS1, Portikus, and Aspen Art Museum have showcased his art. His pieces are also in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, Tate Modern, and the Guggenheim Museum.

The readymade and recycling in Sergej Jensen's practice 312l16

Sergej Jensen’s art focuses on exploring new ways to use materials, embracing the concept of the readymade by transforming old objects into art. He frequently incorporates leftover fabric from previous works into his new paintings, blending past and present elements. Jensen also uses hand-knitted fabrics, which he sews or stretches over frames, adding a handmade texture to his pieces.

A notable aspect of his work is his use of weathered fabric, which he intentionally leaves outside to age, bringing unexpected visual effects to his art. Jensen moves beyond traditional canvas, working with a variety of textiles to question what a painting can be and opening new paths for abstract expression.

His fabric-based creations feature rich textures and unconventional materials, with a focus on recycling and the readymade. Jensen allows the weather to alter leftover fabrics, producing distinctive imperfections like frayed edges and soft colors. These qualities, along with the empty spaces, contribute as much to his works as the filled areas.

Jensen selects a range of fabrics, from simple burlap and linen to luxurious silk and wool, making his paintings stand out. This diverse material selection pushes the boundaries of what art can be, while his use of weathered surfaces and unconventional textiles invites viewers to appreciate the fabric’s texture and history, revealing the beauty in worn and reused elements.

Blurring abstraction and representation in fabric art 5s5y3a

Sergej Jensen's fabric art sits between abstraction and representation. His works are complex, but their titles hint at familiar forms. Jensen highlights the fabric's texture, showing off its materiality through wool flecks and frayed edges.

His use of paint and bleach adds to the mix, blurring lines between abstract and figurative. This unique method in fabric art makes viewers think about the medium's materiality and negative space.

Jensen's work also brings in chance and spontaneity. This adds a layer of unpredictability, making his gestural mark-making even more captivating. It's a journey into the depths of fabric art, challenging our understanding of it.

Sergej Jensen's immersive gallery installations 6c585h

Sergej Jensen's exhibitions are more than just paintings. He often includes domestic elements like fireplaces and rugs. This creates immersive environments that challenge the usual gallery setup.

His work blends different mediums, pushing the limits of contemporary art. Gallery installations, domestic elements, and subverting the white cube are key to Jensen's interdisciplinary practice. This approach makes his art more engaging and unconventional.

Jensen's installations often make viewers question their understanding of art and galleries. By adding domestic elements to the gallery, he challenges the traditional "white cube" idea. This invites viewers to think about the connection between art, environment, and their own lives.

Major exhibitions and public collections  141i5y

His works have been widely exhibited in solo shows, including at Le Consortium in Dijon, (2022); Kunsthalle Bern, (2021); Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden, (2017); National Gallery of Denmark, Copenhagen (2016); Berlinische Galerie, Berlin (2013); MoMA PS1, New York (2011); Aspen Art Museum, Colorado (2010); and Kunst-Werke Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin (2009). He has participated in significant group exhibitions such as the 6th Hammer Invitational at The Hammer Museum, Los Angeles (2011); the Whitney Biennial, New York (2006); the 6th Berlin Biennale (2006); and the 26th Bienal de São Paulo, Brazil (2004).

Jensen's global exhibitions have not only shown his talent but have also brought him many awards. His work in pushing minimalist art boundaries and using fabrics in new ways has won him praise from critics and fans.

Sergej Jensen's artistic journey has taken him all over the world. He is now seen as a pioneer in contemporary art. His international shows and recognition keep inspiring and exciting people with his unique minimalist fabric art.

Jensen's work is housed in prominent public collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Tate in London, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin, the Astrup Fearnley Museum in Oslo, the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Other institutions featuring his works include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark, and the National Gallery of Denmark.

FAQ 4c2n70

What is Sergej Jensen known for?

Sergej Jensen is a New York-based artist known for his minimalist fabric art. He uses the canvas as a starting point. He sews, bleaches, stretches, or stains the cloth to create works that blend abstraction and figuration.

What materials does Sergej Jensen use in his work?

Jensen uses a variety of fabrics in his compositions. These include burlap, linen, silk, and wool. His use of unconventional materials challenges traditional painting.

How does Sergej Jensen's practice challenge the traditional canvas?

Jensen deconstructs the traditional canvas to create innovative fabric compositions. He sews, bleaches, stretches, or stains the cloth. This creates works that blur the lines between abstraction and representation.

What are the key principles underlying Sergej Jensen's art?

Jensen's art is based on the principles of the readymade and recycling. He reuses off-cuts from previous works as motifs. He also incorporates hand-knitted fabric and lets the weather alter the surface.

How does Sergej Jensen's work exist between abstraction and representation?

Jensen's fabric-based compositions exist in a liminal space between abstraction and representation. His works can be hard to read, but the titles often hint at recognizable forms. The materials he uses, like wool and frayed edges, highlight the materiality of his art.

How does Sergej Jensen's practice extend beyond traditional painting?

Jensen's practice goes beyond traditional painting. He produces his own music, films, and collaborative performances. This interdisciplinary approach reflects his interest in a broader discourse than painting alone. He also incorporates domestic elements in his exhibitions, challenging the white cube.

Where has Sergej Jensen exhibited his work?

Jensen has exhibited his work worldwide, in solo and group exhibitions. He has shown at the Whitney Biennial, the Berlin Biennale, and the Bienal de São Paulo. His work is also in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Tate in London, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin.