Interview with Fant Wenger
In Fant Wenger‘s paintings, nature and technology usually collide in a rugged and momentous way. Not only is the chosen spectrum of colours powerful, the artist also places railway wagons, telephone poles, parabolic antennas or even a satellite in the landscape. These are surrounded by trees with extensive branches and undergrowth. Powerful and often bare, they cross the pictorial space. The paintings show a distinct dynamism, which is intensified by the size of the canvases.
Light plays an important role in Fant Wenger‘s painting. He selectively dips individual elements into glistening light, which in various works spreads out over the entire picture surface, illuminating it supernaturally and running through the room like jack-o‘-lanterns. Which sparks jump here and what is sent or received in this world full of riddles? No causal or linear connection can be read. The artist gives hints through the titles, which can nourish suspicions, but without giving a real interpretation.
The works of art of Fant Wenger already give a hint after a short look that this artist masters his craft very well. He does not leave any of his compositions to chance, but intensively deals with their meaning and implementation, until he finally manages to reproduce all his thoughts in a harmonious interplay on the canvas.
Could you please introduce yourself and tell us how you started in the arts and your first experience in art-making?
My Name is Stephan Wenger, and I am known by the artist name Fant Wenger. Since i have a father who draws well, I started drawing and painting early in my childhood. My first experience in art was probably at the age of nine, when my teacher at the time asked me to paint a mural. I had my first exhibition when I was 19, and that showed me that art would definitely be a big part of my life.
How would you describe yourself and your artwork?
I see myself as someone who needs a lot of social contact, is curios and thirsty for knowledge. As I used to need a secure an income in addition to art, I was drawn to social work with young people. That kept me young and gave me a lot of input for my art. My art is always changing and explores my personal life and matters relating to culture and society. Since I believe that art should contribute to current issues, these flow into my art.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I find my inspiration in peripheral areas. Society, nature and science as well as my personal environment give me material that I would like to work on.
Art itself and what purpose art has in our times occupy me and give me ideas that are always whit me and constrain me to address these topics.
What emotions do you hope the viewers experience when looking at your art?
I hope viewers of my art can immerse themselves in my visual world, the questions that concern me, but are still a mystery. Mysteries and hidden things make us researchers and thinkers. My art should not give answers or clear interpretations, but lead the viewer into their own of ideas.
When do you know that an artwork is finished?
When I start painting, many basic elements position themselves in my head. The choice of color and composition subordinate themselves to the topic and begin to influence me.
I don t have a clear idea of what the finished piece will look like. But when it s completed, it is the result of the consensus between my initial idea and the painting process.
What has been the most exciting moment in your art career so far?
There have been many exciting moments, but meeting curators who are enthusiastic about large projects is wonderful.
Moments where viewers find an element that gives them access to my art are also very exciting.
How long does it take to produce one work?
Depends on the size of the piece. Since I mostly paint in large format, I need six to nine weeks. However, the artwork starts in my head, and so the process can also take longer.
What exciting projects are you working on right now? Can you share some of the future plans for your artwork?
I have been working on „Frequency“ since 2016. This series enables me to dig deeper into a topic and create art with a background. I wanted to end „Frequency“ several times, but it became clear to me that there was much more to this topic than I was aware of. The possibility of supplementing painting with installations makes it even more exciting. „Frequency“ will keep me busy in the future, and I m looking forward to that.
Do you have any upcoming events or exhibitions we should know about?
My next exhibition will be at the Venice Biennale 2020 in the Ca Zanardi gallery, where I will be showing all of the pieces in the „Frequency“ series. In addition I am organizing an exhibition in my home town Winterthur with fellow local artists, and a collaboration with Tart gallery and the oxyd art rooms in June 2020.
Where do you see your art going in five years?
I think I will meet other exciting people over the next five years who are open to large art projects. I would also like to have an exhibition in the US or Asia.
Website: www.fant.ch
Instagram: @fant_wenger
Facebook: Fant Wenger
