Rooms Suspended in Time: Matthias Weischer’s First London Exhibition ‘Off Target’

Matthias Weischer (b. 1973), one of the leading figures in the German painting scene, is meeting audiences at GRIMM’s new space at 43a Duke Street with his first solo exhibition in London in over 20 years, titled ‘Off Target’.

As one of the most recognized artists of the Leipzig School, Weischer is known for challenging the viewer’s perception of space through his interior scenes. These new works present meticulously constructed and mysterious atmospheres, taking his studio as their point of departure.

Space, Emptiness, and Passing Time

The interiors in Weischer’s paintings carry a fleeting impression of human presence. Each room captures a moment suspended in time. The sparse furniture and small traces of wear evoke a sense of emptiness and abandonment. This atmosphere draws deeply from the artist’s interest in 17th-century Dutch masters and Italian Renaissance depictions of interiors.

For example, in one painting, we see a female figure perched on the edge of a low stool, reading from a book in her lap. In the background, a tall plant with winding leaves spilling from the edge of the canvas and pictures hanging on the wall appear as objects that recur constantly in the artist’s works.

Matthias Weischer

Archaeology of the Surface: Layers and Tempera

Weischer is known for his thick, rich surface texture built from countless layers accumulated over time. In recent years, he has begun using egg tempera alongside a palette of warm, pastel tones reminiscent of Italian painting history. The flatness and lightness of tempera create an effect similar to the plaster surfaces of frescoes.

The artist’s intensive process of working and reworking the canvas is clearly visible on the surfaces. Beneath the layers applied in oil and tempera, there are often areas that have been scraped or sanded away. This suggests a kind of entropy (a tendency toward disorder) occurring on the canvas and contributes to the sensation of time passing in the depicted environments.

Matthias Weischer

Perspective Games and Estrangement

Weischer employs a manipulative perspective in which different objects in the scenes are subject to divergent horizon lines and vanishing points. Combined with the recurring presence of pictures within the spaces, this creates an estranging feeling in the viewer and evokes a sense of disorientation where dimensions are complexly intertwined.

As part of his working process, the artist frequently arranges settings in his studio, giving these abandoned scenes the impression that the final act of a play has been performed and everyone has left the stage. The objects in these scenes function both as props and as characters. The essence of Weischer’s practice lies in the delicate balance between emptiness and detail.

Matthias Weischer: ‘Off Target’

Venue: GRIMM, 43a Duke Street, St James’s, London (UK)

Dates: 27 November 2025 – 10 January 2026