About

Carsten Wagner's oeuvre navigates the complex terrain of human existence in an increasingly fragmented world, blending the archaic with the futuristic, the organic with the engineered. Through sculpture, printmaking, and painting, Wagner constructs a compelling visual narrative that challenges perceptions of identity, power, and the evolution of form. His sculptures, predominantly rendered in a stark monochrome, present figures that are both familiar and alien. Disjointed bodies, heads perched on architectural foundations, and mechanical forms with human attributes speak to a post-human condition where the boundaries between nature and technology are blurred. These works possess a raw, tactile quality, evoking a sense of ancient artifacts unearthed from a forgotten future. The textures and forms suggest a history of struggle, resilience, and a silent, enduring presence. In his printmaking, Wagner injects a vibrant, almost neon energy. Figures, often female, are depicted with assertive stances, adorned with symbolic elements and surrounded by dynamic, abstract patterns. The use of bold, sometimes clashing colors—pinks, purples, golds—creates a visceral impact, highlighting themes of empowerment, transformation, and defiance. These prints pulsate with a rebellious spirit, capturing moments of tension and liberation within intricate compositions. Wagner's paintings further expand this exploration, often featuring complex, multi-layered scenes that draw on mythological and contemporary influences. These works introduce narrative depth, populating his hybrid worlds with figures that are both vulnerable and formidable. The rich colors and expressive brushwork create immersive environments where human and animal forms interact in surreal, often confrontational, ways. Across all mediums, Carsten Wagner’s art is a powerful commentary on the hybrid realities we inhabit. He invites viewers to confront the unsettling beauty of change, the resilience of the spirit, and the endless possibilities of reimagining what it means to be, or become, in a constantly evolving landscape. His work is a testament to the enduring human capacity to create meaning and identity amidst the chaos of a fragmented world.

Shows

HAAM#2, Kraftwerk Bille, Hamburg, 2025
Strangers in der Night, Kunsthalle Lausitz, Cottbus 2025
Big Bigger Tall, TBD, Hamburg 2025
BAAM#8, Arena Market, Berlin, 2024
HAAM#2, Kraftwerk Bille, Hamburg, 2024
Girls with Guns, Stil vor Talent Artspace, Berlin, 2024 (Soloshow)
Relief Conspiracy, SGCI International, Providence, RI, 2022
Grabado Pandemico Group Show, Santiago Chile, 2021
69 printexchange group show, Spain, 2019
Relief conspiracy 2019
Millerntor Gallery, Hamburg, 2018
Widerkunst, Holzmarkt Berlin, 2016
Millerntor Gallery, Hamburg, 2016
Big Ass Linocuts, high roller society, London, 2011
Papergirl#5, neurotitan gallery, Berlin, 2010
Hard times, halcyon, Brooklyn New York, 2005

photo: gregor borwig