TRUST THE PROCESS

TRUST THE PROCESS

In Thomas Steffens’ work, the emerging artwork does not follow any predetermined system or fixed rules. Instead, the focus lies on the process itself – the experience, the discovery, and the immersion. His works are less to be understood as finished objects and more as a path toward self-reflection. This approach opens a space where traditional notions of art are questioned, and personal experience takes center stage.

The objects are eventually completed, but the finished work is not the main focus of his interest. Rather, he is fascinated by the journey – the creative process that, as an experience, unfolds a deep inner effect. He views the completed artwork as closed, almost “dead.” What remains alive and present for him, however, is the experience of the creative process, which continues to resonate within him

Thomas Steffens works across various
artistic disciplines, with a strong focus on painting.

Thomas Steffens works across various
artistic disciplines, with a strong focus on painting.

PAINTING:

His large-scale works playfully oscillate between abstraction and figuration—almost always rendered in vibrant, intense candy colors.

The visual language is diverse: sometimes spontaneous and minimal, other times richly baroque. Heads, skulls, and figures often take center stage.

He is especially fascinated by the large format itself and the powerful spatial impact it creates. After all, big paintings are made for big spaces—they challenge their surroundings and open up new perspectives.

SUMMARY:

Creates large-scale pieces that balance abstraction and figuration

➔ Uses vibrant intense candy colors as a signature palette

Visual language varies from spontaneous and minimal to richly baroque

➔ Frequent motifs include heads skulls and figures

➔ Fascinated by the large format and its powerful spatial impact

➔ Believes big paintings belong in big spaces challenging their environment and opening new perspectives

 

DRAWING:

Thomas Steffens’ drawings are inspired by images he encounters in dreams, discovers in museums and exhibitions, or perceives through the media. His approach is characterized by the interplay of an overwhelming variety of heads, patterns, ornaments, overlays, textures, veils, and symbols. He combines these elements into complex, multilayered visual worlds that create a dense and captivating experience. When this complexity is absent, the works tend to be reduced and sketch-like.

It is evident that his drawing skills have developed over many years and hundreds of sketches and studies. He skillfully employs the possibilities of ink, watercolor, and acrylic.

The motifs are usually designed so that patterns and repeats wrap around objects, accentuating them. This creates a kind of aura that elevates and highlights the object, figure, or head.

SUMMARY:

➔ Inspired by images from dreams, museums and exhibitions, and media

➔ Characterized by a rich interplay of heads, patterns, ornaments, overlays, textures, veils, and symbols

➔ Elements combined into complex, multilayered visual worlds that offer a dense and captivating experience

➔ When complexity is absent, works tend to be reduced and sketch-like

➔ Drawing skills developed over many years through hundreds of sketches and studies

➔ Masterful use of ink, watercolor, and acrylic mediums

➔ Motifs often feature patterns and repeats that wrap around objects, accentuating them

This creates an aura that elevates and highlights the object, figure, or head

OBJECTS:

During a phase in which Thomas Steffens sought new forms of artistic expression, his kinetic objects emerged. At that time, painting and drawing no longer held the same appeal for him. Driven by impulsive and unrestrained energy, he combined a wide range of materials – from cardboard and plastic items to tape, ropes, cables, computer fans, turntables, power supplies, paints, Styrofoam packaging, ping-pong balls, paper, metal, used ballpoint pen refills, and figurines.

He was particularly fascinated by the object-like quality of these materials and embraced the challenge of exploring and developing the possibilities of kinetic art in diverse ways. These works have been presented in numerous exhibitions, captivating audiences especially with the intriguing ways movement is generated within the objects.

SUMMARY:

➔ Thomas Steffens developed his kinetic objects during a phase when he was seeking new forms of artistic expression.

➔ At that time, painting and drawing no longer held the same appeal for him.

➔ Driven by impulsive and unrestrained energy, he combined a variety of materials: cardboard, plastic items, tape, ropes and cords, cables, computer fans, turntables, power supplies, paints, Styrofoam packaging, ping-pong balls, paper, metal, used ballpoint pen refills, and figurines.

➔ He was particularly fascinated by the object-like quality of these materials.

➔ He embraced the challenge of exploring and developing the possibilities of kinetic art in diverse ways.

➔ The works have been exhibited in numerous shows.

Visitors were captivated by the intriguing ways movement is generated within the objects.

This website is dedicated to the artistic work of Thomas Steffens. At the core of his practice lies an exploration of subjective perception. His works invite viewers to engage with their own sensations, thoughts, and inner images – as reflections of both personal and collective experience. Thomas Steffens engages with multiple artistic disciplines. Currently, he focuses primarily on drawing and the development of a VR project designed to make his work tangible and accessible within a virtual space.

This link offers key information and insights about the project.

Welcome to my universe of visual explorations.

THE FASTEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE MY CURRENT WORK:

www.instagram.com 

LATEST EXHIBITION:

The VR Space was shown in Bonn in September 2021 at Fabrik 45, an art offspace. We had about 400 visitors during the show.

Please have a look here, here you will find some information about this project.

And the link to a short video about the VR-SPACE I developed.

This project was funded by the Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen with the funds of the scholarship „auf geht’s“.
Thank you very much for the support of my work.

If you would like to have this virtual experience yourself, you are very welcome to contact me – studio@thomas-steffens.com

PAINTING

„I AM (more than) A PAINTER…

PAINTING

„I AM (more than) A PAINTER…

P.01.1

… even if I don’t paint very often. Actually, my ideal is to paint huge paintings, but since I am interested in many artistic fields, painting is only a small part of my oeuvre.

But the truth is: I am a painter.“

I paint without a fixed style. This may sound unusual, but it leads to results that open up spaces rather than close them. Each painting follows its own approach. I ask myself: Is it possible to completely rule out repetition? To avoid repetition, I have focused on returning to painting that goes deeper rather than broader.

DRAWING

DRAWING
IS TRAVELING…

DRAWING

DRAWING
IS TRAVELING…

These landscapes can be journeyed through, best experienced at a slow pace to fully immerse in their intensity.

Thomas Steffens’ drawings represent a form of visual thinking, where protagonists emerge through uninhibited free association. His work explores themes of depth and complexity, inviting viewers to lose themselves within the image—a state in which the drawing achieves its intended effect.

The works of Thomas Steffens captivate with their layered complexity, creating a nearly hypnotic effect. Immerse yourself in his world and discover the insights and meanings that unfold for you.

INSTALLATIONS

MORE THAN MERE IMAGES…

INSTALLATIONS

MORE THAN PICTURES…

Thomas Steffens’ work stems from a deep interest in the things that surround him. What proves suitable is rarely clear from the outset. At the core lies an intensive engagement with his environment and its details, from which objects, installations, and performances emerge.

Crossing the boundary between surface and space is captivating, opening up new possibilities. Art can be experienced in an expanded way.

I have created room installations, developed kinetic objects, and staged performance-like situations. Everything suitable for play becomes part of my work.

Thomas Steffens Art Studio Thomas Steffens

A space can be a temptation to find a work that fits in there.

Thomas Steffens Art Studio Thomas Steffens
Thomas Steffens Art Studio Thomas Steffens
Thomas Steffens Art Studio Thomas Steffens

Hello,

You can now visit my virtual exhibition — please follow the link below. 
To explore the exhibition, use your mouse and the W, A, S, D keys on your keyboard to navigate.
Please note: The virtual exhibition is currently not available on mobile devices.

 

Visit this virtual exhibition space and let yourself be drawn into the spell of my work. Have fun.

I welcome FEEDBACK on this project, so far it is just a beginning. This work was supported by the Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen.

Here you will find the virtual exhibition THE WORK I HAVE DONE

Supported by

Hello,

you can now find my virtual exhibition, follow link below.

To explore the virtual exhibition please use your mouse and these keys on the keyboard W, A, S,D.

At present, the virtual show cannot yet be viewed on mobile phones.

Visit this virtual exhibition space and let yourself be drawn into the spell of my work. Have fun.

I welcome FEEDBACK on this project, so far it is just a beginning. This work was supported by the Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen.

Here you will find the virtual exhibition THE WORK I HAVE DONE

Supported by