Ruben Einsmann, born on June 18, 1994, in Hamburg, Germany, is a versatile artist with a Diploma in Visual Arts from HBK Braunschweig. Under the guidance of distinguished professors Norbert Bisky and Thomas Viernich, Einsmann's creative journey has flourished. Currently based in Leipzig, Germany, with a second atelier in Kerven, France, Einsmann's work spans a diverse range of mediums, including installations, ceramics, and painting.
Ruben Einsmann’s art presents a captivating fusion of influences, seamlessly blending contemporary visuals from the 1990s-2000s pop and sub-culture with the structured composition and symbolism characteristic of the Romanesque period and early Middle Ages. This unique synthesis crafts a visual language where traditional medieval imagery coexists with modern-day trademarks, creating an intricate play of visual cues that engage the viewer through recognizable symbols and shapes, albeit often in fragmented forms. Einsmann’s work is distinguished by its color palette, reminiscent of ancient frescoes weathered by time, showcasing layers of paint that reveal figures, texts, and landscapes with art historical significance. These elements, combined with the absence of dark outlines, sometimes give parts of his paintings a negative-like appearance.
The magic in Einsmann’s process begins with the application of a primer layer made from dispersion paints mixed with additives, applied on coarse cotton/linen fabric. Uniquely, he initiates his work from the back, creating a mirror-inverted image, then meticulously develops the painting with hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers. This technique results in a fascinating, aged patina, free from any traces of the artist’s tools, and achieves a naturally aged effect. The paintings’ structure is enriched by suspended and translucent paint bodies, crafted through carefully applied boundary layers that vary with the desired effect and drying stage. Einsmann’s artistry not only bridges historical and contemporary realms but also invites the viewer into a disintegrating world of visual stimuli, where the traditional meets the modern in a beautifully eroded tableau.