Jonas Mayer [b. 1995] is a German visual artist whose interdisciplinary practice is dedicated to the phenomenon of play—as an inner attitude, research approach, and a creative method. In a constant interplay of observation, collection, transformation, and association, he creates paintings, sculptures, and installations that oscillate between seriousness and lightness.
His visual language develops from a vocabulary of everyday observations. Like an urban voyeur, he wanders through urban space with a keen eye for the curious: traces of unconscious playful acts, amateurish graffitis or hybrid places that shift between reality and illusion. Construction sites, swimming pools, amusement parks, industrial wastelands, and flea markets turn into fields of research that are both sources of inspiration and material archives. Mayer takes physical and visual elements from these environments and uses them to form his own unique visual language.
exhibitions [selected]
2025
Splitter Stimuli, Automat Artspace, Saarbrücken [DE], group
Grand Opening, Das Nagelstudio, Saarbrücken [DE], group
Charme / Scham, Kunstverein Pirmasens [DE], solo
2024
Delfin im Eimer, Kulturbahnhof, Saarbrücken [DE], solo
2023
Wildes Morgen, Stadtgalerie, Saarbrücken [DE], group
7 Bilder & 1 Paar Stiefel, NBB Gallery, Berlin [DE], solo
Es schoss der Has‘ die Flinte los, Sektor Heimat, Saarbrücken [DE], solo
Je krümmer das Holz desto besser die Krücke, Automat Artspace, Saarbrücken [DE], solo
2022
Dream Paper, Gallery Slika, Lyon [FR], group
Drucksachen V, Institut für aktuelle Kunst, Saarlouis [DE], group
Lust in Sarregemuines, Casino, Sarregemuines [FR], group
2021
Paperworks Vol.II, NBB Gallery, Berlin [DE], group
New in town / Welcome back, AquaBit, Berlin [DE], duo
Leveling zero, Matca Artspace, Cluj Napoka [RO], group
Caravan, Offspace, St.Ingbert [DE], solo
2020 & 2019
Rundgang, Automat Artspace, Saarbrücken [DE], group
Runde 2, Galerie Neuheisel, Saarbrücken [DE], group
Open Call Show, Delphian Gallery, London [UK], group
fellowships
2024
Schloss Wiepersdorf, Kulturstiftung Brandenburg [DE]
2022
Artist Residency AASM, St.Moritz [CH]
2021
Deutschlandstipendium, Studienstiftung Saar [DE]
press
Nahaufnahme #32: Jonas Mayer
Stadtgalerie Saarbrücken
video portrait
How childlike play informs the work of artist and designer Jonas Mayer
Creative Boom
written interview