Stephan Balkenhol

Renowned German sculptor Stephan Balkenhol is recognised not only for his technical prowess but also for his devotion to exploring figuration in contemporary art. With a career spanning over thirty years, the artist is committed to the representation of the unassuming everyday human. Balkenhol’s sculptures are characterised by a textured surface that bears the marks of his craft.

Balkenhol dedicates himself to translating what he sees in the world around him into wooden sculpture. His approach is focused on the portrayal of normality, creating timeless, relatable and instantly recognisable figures. He references art history and contemporary culture to distil what is present in humanity throughout time: the essential nature of man. Each figure is marked by a lack of expression, their faces reserved, quiet and still. He explains: “I am perhaps proposing a story and not telling the end, just giving a beginning or fragment. There is still a lot for the spectator to complete”. Balkenhol’s work presents a starting point from which to approach existential questions, without suggesting any answers.