Stefan Gross

Stefan Gross is a German-born artist whose work explores the boundaries between painting and sculpture through material experimentation and colour. Born in Bendorf, Germany, in 1964, he is currently based in the Netherlands. His practice is rooted in a strong technical foundation, beginning with an apprenticeship in stained glass, which he completed as a master craftsman in 1988. This early engagement with transparency, light, and colour continues to influence his work. He later studied at the Hochschule der Bildenden Künste (HBK Saar) in Saarbrücken, where his exploration of materials and form further developed.

A defining element of Gross’ practice is the development of his self-initiated material, “oil plastic,” introduced in 2006. This hybrid medium combines industrial plastic with oil paint, functioning simultaneously as both surface and pigment. Through this innovation, Gross expands the traditional notion of painting into three dimensions, creating works that occupy a space between relief, sculpture, and painting. The material’s translucent and glass-like qualities allow light to interact with colour in a dynamic way, giving his works a layered and luminous presence.

Working primarily with recycled plastic, Gross engages with questions surrounding material use and transformation. His process involves heating, shaping, and layering the material, resulting in compositions that appear fluid and organic despite their industrial origin. This tension between the artificial and the natural forms a central theme within his work.

His visual language is often characterized by elaborate, highly saturated compositions, including what he refers to as “flower bonanzas”—lush, exaggerated floral forms that evoke both abundance and excess. These works combine elements of decorative richness with a more critical reflection on contemporary culture, referencing themes such as consumption, growth, and environmental impact.

Gross’ practice has been described as a fusion of contrasting aesthetics, where ornamental and expressive forms meet industrial materials and processes. Through this interplay, he creates works that are at once visually seductive and conceptually layered, positioning his practice within a broader dialogue on the relationship between nature, material, and human production.

Education

• Apprenticeship and master in stained glass manufacturing (1981–1990)
• Hochschule der Bildenden Künste (HBK Saar), Saarbrücken (1991–1996)

Collections

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam
• Van den Broek Foundation
• Netcompany
• LAM Museum, Lisse