Julia Schmidt (*1976) lives and works in Berlin. She studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig and at the Glasgow School of Art.

She has received numerous scholarships and awards, including Deutsche Akademie Villa Massimo, Rome (2011), Villa Romana Prize (2008) and Stiftung Kunstfonds Bonn (2006).

Solo exhibitions (selection in German):

Saint-Trop, Kienzle Art Foundation, Berlin (2021), Core Silhouette, Meyer Riegger, Berlin (2018), Chromatic Mesh Logistics, Meyer Riegger, Berlin (2014), Rio 2345, Philara Collection, Düsseldorf (2013), A Painting Cycle, Nomas Foundation, Rome (2012), Economies of Hygiene, Meyer Riegger Berlin (2010), Stokroom, Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst, Leipzig (2009), Lavoro, Casey Kaplan Gallery, New York (2008), Tourism and Painting, Museum der bildenden Künste, Leipzig (2007), New Fabrics, Casey Kaplan Gallery, New York (2006).

Group exhibitions (selection in German):

VLSmPJS, Fahrbereitschaft, Berlin (2020), there/, Galerie Eigen + Art, Leipzig (2019), Fremde Mächte, Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf (2019), I See You Man, Gallery Celine, Glasgow (2018), The Present Order II, Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst, Leipzig (2017), Bars and Cafes, Fahrbereitschaft, Berlin (2016), 140 K, Kunstraum Ortloff, Leipzig (2016), Never Look Back When Leaving, Casey Kaplan, New York (2014), Made in Germany Zwei, Kestnergesellschaft Hannover (2012), Villa Massimo in the Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin (2012) Control, Magazin4, Bregenzer Kunstverein, Bregenz (2011), Trouble with Realism, KOW, Berlin (2009), Freisteller, Villa Romana Prize Winner, Deutsche Guggenheim, Berlin (2008).

Julia Schmidt has taught as a Professor of Painting at the University of Fine Arts Münster since 2012.

Julia Schmidt examines the status and significance of painting practice in the light of art historical, aesthetic and economic questions. Existing visual material from different contexts as well as her own photographic shots form the starting point of her artistic exploration. A central aspect of her work is in selecting and combining these motifs, in valorising or devalorising them by realising them in painting and in shifting them into a new context of meaning. Schmidt produces and presents works in constellations or cycles, often extending the pictorial exploration through the use of installation elements and various printing processes.

A critical engagement with the practical and theoretical aspects of painting is essential to the discourse in this class. The roles and possibilities of painting are reflected upon in the context of its own history, but also with current visual culture and with social issues.

Against the backdrop of continuous studio practice, class study is structured by class meetings, individual and group discussions in which the students’ work is presented and discussed together. The use of different media is encouraged, as is an expansion of painting practices and engagement with research-based and conceptual projects.

The study programme is focussed on the development of one’s own artistic position based on the respective individual interests and motivations.

Joint projects, class exhibitions, publications, national and international excursions, regular guest lectures and workshops by artists and theoreticians complement the teaching.