MAXIMILIAN WIEDEMANN
Born in Frankfurt in 1977 to an English mother and a German father Maximilian Wiedemann grew up in a home with divergent personalities and cultures, which shaped his artistic outlook. Maximilian's talent and passion was evident early on and as a 17-year-old he displayed his enthusiasm and energy through graffiti art. He is currently based between London, Frankfurt and Miami.
Maximilian's captivating art reflects and examines today's obsession with pop culture, media and consumerism, addressing topics that often others dare not undertake. Through his canvases and other works, Wiedemann observes and highlights flaws in human identity and society. His wit, humour and sarcasm are evident in his sharp slogans about love, money, power, status, fashion and celebrities.
Maximilian creates paintings, silkscreens, neon lights, installations and sculptures and is currently experimenting with photography and film. It's easy to perceive the vestiges of his ten years in advertising in works such as The Only Pain Is Champagne, Money Talks But Has Nothing To Say, American Excess and Closer To God In Heels. "My art revolves between the ambivalence of today's materialism and status-oriented society, versus the values of real love and integrity," he says. "I believe art should provoke thoughts about the current times we live in."
Designer Karl Lagerfeld introduced the artist to the then-editor of French Vogue, Carine Roitfeld, who quickly purchased a work. Tamara Mellon, HSH Prince Albert II, the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi and Petra Ecclestone are a few of his many collectors. Wiedemann's work includes an international campaign for the VH1 Divas concert in New York and he has collaborated with Collier Bristow, BMW, Topshop and Coca-Cola. Wiedemann has been exhibiting and curating both collective and individual shows throughout Europe since 1999 and is represented in various collections around the world, most recently in Los Angeles.