John Reuss (German, b. 1973)paints figures and interior spaces shaped by thought, emotion, and raw cognition rather than physical setting, exploring alienation and the pursuit of an unattainable inner harmony.His paintings juxtapose fine detail and meticulous linework against bold brushstrokes and blurred contours, mixing acrylic, charcoal, and oil across multiple reworked layers.,
Self-taught as a painter, Reuss studied pattern development and design and earned a BA in Computer Science from the University of Aalborg.,He worked in graphic design, marketing, and communication before making art his main focus.Born in Flensburg, Germany, he lives and works in Denmark.,Critics have used labels such as “existential surrealism” and “psychological realism” to describe his work.
Reuss collaborated with the artist Jacob Juhl on Please Destroy This, mailing pieces back and forth with instructions to alter, damage, or rebuild each other's work.The project culminated in a joint exhibition at Galleri V58 in Århus, Denmark, in 2015.,Reuss has held solo exhibitions in Denmark, mainly at Galleri NB in Viborg, and internationally at venues including Hillyer Art Space in Washington, D.C.
Reuss also curates RELAY, a project on the platform Foundation that showcases digital art in themed presentations called Moments. The 2023 Moment “METABODIES” explored digital flesh and identity through work by artists including Scerbo and Iñigo Bilbao.His paintings have been represented by Robert Fontaine Gallery in Miami and Palm Beach.,
