Artists

Clemens Krauss, Emmanuel Bornstein, Robert Muntean

Press release

We are delighted to announce the exhibition Knallzart by the three Berlin-based artists Emmanuel Bornstein, Clemens Krauss, and Robert Muntean. The exhibition will showcase new paintings that explore themes of identity, intimacy, and physicality. Bornstein, Krauss, and Muntean studied painting at German art academies in the 2000s, yet each has followed a distinct stylistic path. Bornstein aligns with the tradition of figurative-deconstructivist expressionism in the vein of Francis Bacon, while Krauss is known for his impasto, centimeter-thick applications of paint. Robert Muntean, on the other hand, is renowned for his exceptionally even, harmonious brushwork that follows musical rhythms. While their approaches to art may appear divergent at first glance, their work is deeply interconnected. Not only are the three artists friends, and all live in Berlin, they also share a common affinity for figuration and a similar thematic focus in their artistic endeavors. The works of Bornstein, Krauss, and Muntean consistently engage with social processes, addressing issues such as loneliness, alienation, massification, and both internal and external violence. Additionally, they share a fascination with the body and the individual, often reflected through the lens of broader social events and phenomena. Knallzart is the first joint exhibition of the three artists. It engages directly with the core theme of their work: the dehumanization of the present moment—and the eternal longing for its exact opposite in the future.