STRATUM PINK

Plain Gallery is proud to present Stratum Pink, first exhibition in Italy of young German artists Björn Knapp and Nadjana Mohr.

The word "Stratum" encompasses multiple definitions, making it a universal term to describe a particular form of "layer" in one's field of expertise. Expanded with the fleshy color pink, the exhibition "Stratum Pink" is addressed to the physical counterpart.

The works of Nadjana Mohr and Björn Knapp are based on an approach in which the (own) body serves as a catalyst for the development of painting. A common approach is the understanding that painting always derives its legitimacy through an imprint of the "self," a hand, or a movement. By engaging with photographic material and current conditions in the working process, Nadjana Mohr and Björn Knapp reveal layers in their works or utilize their overlay for motif discovery.

The goal is to provide a display of the possibilities of painting today and the pictorial imprint, in the sense of the word or its extension, "Stratum." Both positions range from a minimalism that extends into the realm of the plastic (plaster paintings) to the conceived panel painting. It is likely that both artists perceive painting as the result of a quasi-performative act that takes shape through repetition and overlay.


Björn Knapp (1988) studied at the Kunstakademie Karlsruhe from 2012 to 2015 and at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf from 2015 to 2020, where he graduated as a 'Meisterschüler' of Thomas Scheibitz. In 2020 he participated in the group show Genius Loci 8 at SETAREH Düsseldorf and was shown at salondergegenwart. In 2021 he was part of the graduates exhibition Coming to voice at K21. His works have been purchased by the Kunstsammlung NRW and the Kunstpalast Düsseldorf. Lives and works in Düsseldorf. 

Nadjana Mohr (1987) lives and works in Cologne and has been a member of the board of trustees of Simultanhalle since 2023. In 2014, she completed her studies in painting at the State Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe under Tatjana Doll as a master student, and as a guest student, she attended the Art Academy Düsseldorf under Katharina Grosse. In 2021 and 2022, she was awarded the Art Prize of the Friends of KunstWerk Köln e.V. and the Promotion Prize of the Art Competition of the Diocesan Museum Rottenburg-Stuttgart.

WORKS