FRANZISKA REINBOTHE Germany, b. 1980
Biography
In painting, I focus on what usually remains unseen: the back, the edges, and the structure of the canvas. By compressing, folding, cutting, or sewing the surface after painting, I bring these hidden elements into view.
Franziska Reinbothe was born in 1980 in Berlin, Germany. She studied at the Academy of Visual Arts Leipzig (HGB Leipzig), graduating with a Diploma in Painting/Fine Arts and later completing a Master from 2010–2013.
Her practice challenges traditional painting: after paint application, she often folds, tears, cuts or sews the canvas, sometimes discarding or exposing the stretcher frame entirely. The resulting works may protrude from the wall or stand as free-form objects, shifting the focus from image to material, structure and spatial presence.
Her approach is driven by curiosity, chance and material exploration rather than by strict pre-conceived compositions.
Reinbothe’s works have been acquired by important institutions, including the Contemporary Art Collection of the Federal Republic of Germany, the collection of the Hamburger Kunsthalle, the Staatliche Kunstsammlung Dresden, and Kunsthalle Bielefeld.
She lives and works between Pretzsch/Elbe and Berlin.
Her practice challenges traditional painting: after paint application, she often folds, tears, cuts or sews the canvas, sometimes discarding or exposing the stretcher frame entirely. The resulting works may protrude from the wall or stand as free-form objects, shifting the focus from image to material, structure and spatial presence.
Her approach is driven by curiosity, chance and material exploration rather than by strict pre-conceived compositions.
Reinbothe’s works have been acquired by important institutions, including the Contemporary Art Collection of the Federal Republic of Germany, the collection of the Hamburger Kunsthalle, the Staatliche Kunstsammlung Dresden, and Kunsthalle Bielefeld.
She lives and works between Pretzsch/Elbe and Berlin.
Works
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Franziska Reinbotheohne Titel, 2025100 x 50 x 38 cm -
Franziska Reinbotheohne Titel, 202544 x 42 x 5 cm
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Franziska Reinbotheohne Titel, 202573 x 53 x 4,5 cm
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Franziska Reinbotheohne Titel, 2025170 x 130 cm
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Franziska Reinbotheohne Titel, 2025190 x 140 cm
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Franziska Reinbotheohne Titel , 202569x46x10cm
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Franziska Reinbotheohne Titel, 2024100 x 70 cm
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Franziska Reinbotheohne Titel, 2024120 x 80 cm
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Franziska Reinbotheohne Titel, 2020160 x 125 x 45 cm
Overview
"I really want to know what that picture will look like if I break its frame"
Franziska Reinbothe (b. 1980, Berlin) redefines painting by transforming the canvas itself — cutting, folding, sewing or even removing the stretcher frame — turning flat surfaces into sculptural objects and exposing what is usually hidden behind or beneath the image.
Bibliography
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Education: HGB Leipzig — Diploma in Painting/Fine Arts; Master (2010–2013).
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Notable acquisitions: Contemporary Art Collection of the Federal Republic of Germany; Hamburger Kunsthalle; Staatliche Kunstsammlung Dresden; Kunsthalle Bielefeld.
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Solo exhibitions (selection): 2023 – “Above the Fold”, Galerie Mathias Güntner, Berlin; 2022 – “Strategies of image finding”, Galerie Klaus Braun, Stuttgart. Residency & grants: e.g. work scholarship Künstlerhaus Lukas (Ahrenshoop), acquisition by state/foundation collections.