Maike Freess is a visual artist born in Leipzig, who studied at the University of Arts Burg Giebichenstein in Halle, where she graduated with distinction as a master student, before continuing her studies at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. She is an artist who always raises a question about the unstable facets of human existence, codified social behavior, and the cartography of the mind, based on large-format drawings and paper works.

Her latest practice, “SOLILOQUI,” is a mixed-media exploration oscillating between realism and its deliberate deconstruction. From her recent methodology—utilizing large-scale drawings on black paper combined with contrasting acrylics, ink, and white paper cut-outs—the artist tries to bring psychological fault lines and unexpected disruptions back to our reality. The realistically depicted figurative scenes are continuously confronted with physical, sharp cuts running directly across the picture plane. She describes her work as an inner theater and a forum for individual peculiarities, rituals, and compulsions, breaking through daily routines via surreal distortion and exaggeration. Her work is rooted in the interplay of visibility and ambivalence, merging technical precision within the form of unexpected, uncalculated disruptions.

Freess’s distinguished career is marked by substantial international recognition, including major biennales and high-profile solo presentations. Her works are held in prestigious public institutions worldwide, such as the Musée d'Art moderne et contemporain (MAMCS) in Strasbourg, the Von der Heydt Museum in Wuppertal, the National Art Gallery in Bangladesh, and the Ludwig Collection.

Education & Training

1997

Lectureship, École des Beaux-Arts, Le Mans, France

1991–1992

Studies (Multimedia-Atelier with Prof. Christian Boltanski) École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris, France

1990–1991

Postgraduate studies / Master Student, University of Arts Burg Giebichenstein Halle/Saale, Germany

1986–1990

Art Studies (Diploma with Distinction), University of Arts Burg Giebichenstein Halle/Saale, Germany

1980–1985

Early Art Studies, University of Arts, Leipzig, Germany

Exhibition & Projects (Selection)

2026

Biennale for Contemporary Art FORGOTTEN SPACES, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

SOLILOQUI, Luisa Catucci Contemporary, Berlin, Germany

2025

Ludwig Collection Presentation, Ludwig Museum Koblenz, Germany

Identity, Insa Art Center, Seoul, South Korea

2024

La Condition Humaine, Musée d'Art moderne et contemporain (MAMCS), Strasbourg, France

Deep Diving (Ludwig Collection), Ludwig Museum Koblenz, Germany

2022

119th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh, National Art Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Verhandlungsmasse, Luisa Catucci Gallery & NAGEL Auction, Berlin, Germany (Solo exhibition)

2021

Vision und Schrecken der Moderne, Von der Heydt-Museum, Wuppertal, Germany

2020

Theater of Soliloquy, Luisa Catucci Gallery, Berlin, Germany (Solo exhibition)

2019

8th Beijing International Biennale (BIAB), National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

The Collection of the Von der Heydt-Museum, Von der Heydt-Museum, Wuppertal, Germany

2016

L'Œil du Collectionneur, Musée d'Art moderne et contemporain (MAMCS), Strasbourg, France

Transition (Performance), Musée d'Art moderne et contemporain, Strasbourg, France

2015

Von blinder Gewissheit, Von der Heydt-Kunsthalle, Wuppertal, Germany (Solo exhibition)

2014

Busan Biennale (Inhabiting the World), Busan Museum of Art, South Korea

2012

Win/Win, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden / Baumwollspinnerei Leipzig, Germany

2010

Après / Christian Boltanski + Guests, MAC/VAL - Musée d'art contemporain du Val-de-Marne, France

1998

International Osaka Triennale 1998, Museum of Contemporary Art, Osaka, Japan (Bronze Prize winner)

1995

Maike Freess - Skulptur-Installation, Grassi-Museum, Leipzig / Kulturhistorisches Museum Magdeburg (Einzelausstellung)