February 2013

Mind and Matter

John Reuss’ work is characterized by contrasts—the juxtaposition of opposites on several levels—which can be seen throughout his paintings. Fine detail, drawn lines and meticulously painted shapes clash with bold brushstrokes, spatters and blurred contours.

The world Reuss depicts is not a physical location in space and time. It is an inner world, a world where thought, emotion and raw cognition defines not only the figures, but also the space they inhabit. Reuss’ main inspiration rests in how we relate to the world we live in. In general he is very interested in the inner life of people and that carries through in the way his figures turn out. Their various disfigurements, missing body parts and multiple angles are symbolic of their psychology and cognitive mechanisms.

Reuss’ medium of choice is acrylic paint—it dries fast suiting both his temperament and his technique very well. He often includes charcoal and pencil drawings in several layers, resulting in a more sensitive and fragile “feel”. For him creativity is as much about tearing down and destroying as it is about creating and building up. Reuss’ final work is the result of the process rather than a planned image.

Reuss’ work is cyclic and therefore virtually endless—he will often revisit already “finished work” and rework it all over again, giving it a new dimension and adding to the historicity of the work.

View more of Reuss’ work at www.johnreuss.com