André Butzer
Biography
André Butzer is a leading contemporary German painter, known for his vivid, emotionally charged works that blend abstraction, figuration, and pop culture. Born in Stuttgart and largely self-taught, he coined the term "Science-Fiction-Expressionism" to describe his dynamic mix of utopian fantasy and existential despair.
In the early 2000s, Butzer co-founded Academy Isotrop in Hamburg and gained recognition for his bold brushwork and cartoonish, distorted figures, which explore themes of violence, innocence, and the failures of utopian ideals. Key motifs like the "Friedens-Siemens" figure embody his fusion of technological optimism and historical trauma.
Over time, his paintings shifted toward minimalist black-and-white compositions before returning to vibrant, more contemplative color fields. Based between California and Germany, Butzer's work is held in major collections such as MOCA Los Angeles, the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, and the Rubell Museum.
He has exhibited widely, with major solo shows including Light, Colour and Hope (YUZ Museum, Shanghai, 2020), Paintings 1999–2011 (Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, 2011), and Wanderer (Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin, 2022). His participation in the 4th Prague Biennale (2009) and group shows like Das gelbe Licht 6 Uhr nachmittags (2023, Berlin) reflect his enduring influence. Throughout his evolving career, Butzer has continuously explored history, utopia, and human existence through a deeply personal visual language.