Description

The German artist Jens Winkler from Saxony discovered his passion for photography at an early age. At the age of 13, he began taking his first pictures with his father’s camera. In a small photo lab, he developed and enlarged his own photos even before turning 18. This early engagement with analog photography and its challenges deeply shaped his artistic approach. Large-format photography, with its unique sharpness and detail, became a central theme of his work in the 1990s. Landscape photography, often inspired by the Zittau Mountains, came into focus in his creations. Digital medium-format photography opened new pathways for presenting his work. Today, black-and-white photography forms the core of his creations. The abstraction inherent in black-and-white offers exceptional creative possibilities, surpassing those of color photography. Light, deep blacks, bright whites, and clear shapes are at the heart of his artistic expression and define his visual language. His works stand out for their sense of space, breadth, and minimalist compositions, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and balance. Clear lines and simple structures form the foundation of his photographic approach, emphasizing the essence of the subject. The abstraction in black-and-white, paired with this reduction, gives his works a special depth and aesthetic clarity that invite the viewer to linger. His work is characterized by intensive post-processing in the digital darkroom, where much of the creative process takes place. The goal is to create works that shine, evoke emotions, and captivate the viewer. Techniques like infrared photography lend his images an almost surreal character. His repertoire is complemented by architectural photography, which has recently gained importance. He draws inspiration from artists such as Ansel Adams, Michael Kenna, and Joel Tjintjelaar, yet always develops his own visual language. Positive feedback and numerous international awards have affirmed the quality of his work and brought him global recognition. His art has been exhibited in many renowned venues, including Venice, Istanbul, and Buenos Aires. Highly awarded, his works are now among the most outstanding examples of contemporary black-and-white photography.