Marcus Günther

Düsseldorf-based artist Marcus Günther’s surreal, Pop-hued dystopian paintings portray a world in crisis, populated with engineers, scientists, soldiers, protestors, madmen and stampeding animals. The central motif connecting the natural, man-made and extraterrestrial landscapes where these funny, ominous scenes occur are what the artist calls “Sinnkoerper,” molecule-like orbs that signify the possibility of change and renewal, but also the danger that such forces could be corrupted. Like the characters and landmarks, these conspicuous, blank, egg-like forms vary in size throughout Günther’s series of works.

His large, enigmatic compositions are executed with stunningly precise brushstrokes. Each image is lit by crisp, mid-day sun, every surface expertly shaded and textured for a nearly photorealistic effect. This combination of strong, often-spectacular figuration and the hybrid imagery of animals, humans, bizarre landscapes and historical allusions recall the Leipzig school of painters led by Neo Rauch. While those works tend to be especially concerned with our relationship to history, however, Günther paints comic visions of the future with an engaging mix of pessimism and optimism.