In ‘The Sprayed Dear,’ Katharina Grosse’s Dreamy Art Knows No Bounds

The State Gallery Stuttgart is undergoing a colorful transformation with “The Sprayed Dear,” the newest solo exhibition by renowned German artist Katharina Grosse. Based in both Berlin and New Zealand, Grosse has spent more than three decades pushing the boundaries of painting, expanding its scope beyond canvases to encompass entire landscapes, structures, and sculptures.

In her unique style, Grosse views a painting as having neither limits nor boundaries. By employing her distinctive spray method, she spreads color over surfaces in a captivating, dream-like flow that lacks defined edges. This borderless artistry fosters a harmonious unison. As the artist expressed, “In my perspective, two-dimensional painting is non-existent. To me, the canvas is not merely a flat object but a three-dimensional, tactile entity. A painting can emerge anywhere – on an egg, in a hollow arm, or even in snow and ice, or on the sandy shore.

Surrounding this philosophy are three brand new pieces, specially created for the exhibition. One of them is the main piece, titled “The Sprayed Dear“, which draws inspiration from the golden stag atop the museum and cleverly uses “dear” to mean something precious. Additionally, you’ll find “Ghost“, a large white styrofoam sculpture delving into themes of surface and form, as well as “Untitled“, which showcases the sculptural essence hidden within Grosse’s canvas paintings. To provide context and shine light on an often overlooked aspect of her work, early sculptures from her time at the Düsseldorf Art Academy are also displayed.

This year’s Messeplatz Project at Art Basel’s main event in June will highlight the vibrant color fields created by artist Grosse as part of the accompanying exhibition.

The Sprayed Dear is now on view in Stuttgart through January 2026.

Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
Konrad-Adenauer-Straße 30-32,
70173 Stuttgart, Germany

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