Artist talk with
Nils Jendri
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Tell us about yourself.
I was born in 1980 in Freiburg im Breisgau, south Germany. After Iv'e got my Diploma in Visual Communication at the 'Merz Academy' in Stuttgart and my Master in New Media at the 'University of Portsmouth', I finished my PHD in Philosophy at the 'Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna'.
In 2019, After living in Budapest and Munich, I moved back close to Freiburg where I live with my family and have my studio.
'Untitled', 2021
Acrylic and spray on canvas
90cm x 65cm
Where did your passion for art begin?
When I think back, I remember buying watercolours in the local art supplies shop when I was around 11 years old.
After painting cats, comics or naked women out of some cheap magazines, I started doing graffiti when I was 16 yo.
Later, I got interested in the whole art spectrum visiting museums and galleries. Visiting a city always meant to me visiting the local art museum, as well as doing some graffiti.
How would you describe your work to someone?
Painting and drawing was always a way to express myself. Over the years I used different mediums and different techniques. Today, I use mostly spray paint to develop a new visual language. Coming from traditional graffiti I want to see whats possible with spray paint as a "new" tool in painting (compared with other art tools and techniques) on canvas. Let's say my brush is my spray can.
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'WHY NOT', 2021
Acrylic and spray on canvas
40cm x 30cm
What are you currently working on?
Right now I try out larger painting formats. Recently I got asked if I also thought about doing sculptures. I have this in my mind and play with the idea how I would define doing sculptures. Maybe thinking about sculptures could also influence the way I paint on canvas. Let's see what happens.
When you start a new work or project, do you plan what you’re going to create or do you improvise?
Usually I have an Idea or more a "feeling" how I would like to start a canvas. Techno music turns my other sense on, and listening to a good set is already the half way in painting a good canvas. My all-time Dj sets I can mention here would be for example: ÂME B2B ÂME LIVE AND DJ SET - 18.02.2017 @ThePeacockSociety, Hiver 2017 - PARIS or R.EK - L'Ouverture Du Bale #5 (live@Hive141017). When I find the right set I let myself go and just grab a can and do a first line. From here I work out layers of paint, shapes, forms, lines, colours...step by step.
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'Winner', 2020
Acrylic and spray on canvas
95cm x 120cm
Can you highlight some of your influences and discuss how your influences have made an impact on you and your practice?
In general I would say, things I saw and did in my past influences me If I want, or not.
I think I can guide my feelings or visions for a good painting only superficial. During my time studying design and philosophy I read a lot, maybe that influences me on a different level as well. I love to meet new people (I was working in a Hostel for years). I love to travel and to find out whats going on in our world. I think that influence me.
I'm very attracted from the art of Egon Schiele or Koloman Moser, I love the art from Picasso, Cy Twombly or Jean-Michel Basquiat. In the same time I'm very thrilled to see on Instagram new works from graffiti artists trying to push that genre to a new level.
What are your plans for the remainder of this year?
I get good feedback on Instagram. This tool allows me to meet new people and start new cooperations all over.
I'm open for everything and happy for every opportunity to exhibit or to collaborate this year.