Jay Rechsteiner

In essence I am a story-teller. I often use different materials such as photographs, found objects, magazines, video & audio footage etc. that I collect during my research or travels and weave into stories. These stories are often hidden within the materials and not instantly ...

In essence I am a story-teller. I often use different materials such as photographs, found objects, magazines, video & audio footage etc. that I collect during my research or travels and weave into stories. These stories are often hidden within the materials and not instantly visible. I am mostly interested in metaphysics, social and political issues as well as different modes/approaches of presenting art.

My work is very versatile, in general process-based and sits at the intersection of different practices. Whether it manifests itself in the form of a drawing, a collage, a painting, an installation, an action or any other medium, my work is never so much about the discrete unit of work but rather the work as a part of the gesamtkunstwerk, the gestamt-story. My understanding of the gesamtkunstwerk in its truest sense is the entirety of my work as a cohesive body.

It is very important to me that my work represents myself, my way of thinking and my opinions. Staying true to myself and having integrity is a very important aspect of my practice. I don't produce art for the masses, nor have I any desire to ride on the band wagon of current trends in the contemporary art world.

I showed my work at Venice Biennale, Tate Liverpool, Whitechapel Gallery London, Fukuoka Art Museum, London Art Fair, Art Basel