Artwords – Writing Images.
Lucas Stolz (b. 1985, Basel) explores the visual representation of words and their meanings by showcasing the intricate intersection of image and calligraphy. Currently based in Barcelona, Stolz’s work navigates the complex structures that exist between words as images and images as words. His artistic practice centers around the layering of motifs, symbols, and colors, ultimately creating dynamic, multi-sensory and complex works of art.
Stolz has previously shown his work at Max54 Gallery (Augsburg), 22 Gallery (Munich) and IAM Gallery (Madrid) and repeatedly exhibited with solo booths at fairs like ARTMUC, Stroke Art Fair (both Munich) and INC Art Fair (Hamburg).
He completed his BA in Graphic Design in 2009 at HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd and a Masters in Illustration in 2010 at IDEP Barcelona. Since 2010, he has been working with renowned clients, studios and brands, as an artist and designer with a specialisation in calligraphy. He started showing his independent work in group shows from 2012 and at international art fairs from 2021.
Lucas Stolz is represented by Max54 Gallery
Artistic Practice
Lucas Stolz’s process remains centered around the symbolic layering of words, figures, and calligraphy texts. His expressive use of fragmented words and symbols allude to his artistic practice grounded in the physical layering and subtracting of inks, paints and gesso with handmade writing tools. This method creates a monochromatic relief with hues bleeding through the layers, before color is applied to the works using industrial spray guns, air brush and spray cans. This process exemplifies craftful techniques centered around the creation of texture, pattern, shape, and form. Often times, complementary colors are juxtaposed against one another in order to bring out a definitive color or bold sentiment, further highlighting the way in which color theory plays an integrative role in his creations. By combining traditional calligraphy practices, ones rooted for millennia in Asian and Arabic culture, along with vibrant pops of color and texture, his works exemplifies an innovative take on a classic art form. An element core to each of Stolz’s works stems from the way in which calligraphy is deciphered. Intentionally vague, the viewer must look to create their own meaning when examining Stolz’s works thus highlight how language, or the lack of initial translation from calligraphy to words, remains central to his artistic practice. This emphasis of connecting language and art directly captures the sentiment felt of the 1960’s of the well-established Art & Language group of European artists, working to define and bring meaning to Conceptual works of art which focused on the intersection of word and image. Stolz brings a fresh, twenty-first century approach to this idea of images as words and words as images, exemplifying the way layering, calligraphy, and color come together to create cohesive, identifiable works of art.
Elise Huff, Next Up Collectors
Shows
Max54 Gallery (Augsburg, ongoing since April 2024)
Artmuc (solo booth, Munich, April & October 2024)
Villa meets Design show with Max54 & VonPoll (Augsburg, April 2024)
Inc Art (solo booth, Hamburg, 2024)
Stroke Art Fair (solo booth, Munich, 2022, 2023 & 2024)
22 Gallery (Munich, 2022)
Open Art Group Show (Barcelona, 2022)
The Other Art Fair (online, 2021)
IAM Gallery (Media Map Group Show, Madrid, 2012)