Stefan Strumbel

Daniel Weissbach (b. 1976 in Berlin, DE – d. 2020, DE) receives his sixth – and third posthumous – solo exhibition Stellen at Ruttkowski;68 in Paris.

Stefan Strumbel (b. 1979 in Offenburg, DE) presents his fourth solo exhibition, The New Times, with Ruttkowski;68 in New York.

Strumbel's diverse body of work explores and transforms a variety of media and materials, imbuing them with new aesthetics, emotions, and values. His art expands the resonance of these transformed origins, evoking the fragility of time—not merely as a specific theme, but as an artistic stance. This stance is sometimes overtly conveyed through iconic cultural symbols from his native Black Forest region in Germany, while at other times it emerges subtly, represented by animalistic ambassadors.

Where language translation meets its limits, Strumbel employs a universally understood symbol: bubble wrap, which signifies that what it encloses is valuable, fragile, and deserving of protection. The German concept of Heimat—best translated as homeland—does not refer to a physical place, but rather to a feeling, a space, or a thought that both offers protection and is worthy of protection itself. In Strumbel's new paintings, the term transcends nationalist appropriations, conveying the preciousness of a shared world. His dynamic color fields both clash and harmonize, inviting viewers to become creators of their own worlds as they engage with shifting perspectives, relationships, and meanings.

These interactions foster dialogue, negotiation, and a sense of interconnectedness. The New Times unites seemingly contradictory elements, giving form, color, and experience to the ongoing process of renewal while exploring what is most essential to protect.