Kai Matussik (b. 1965, Hamburg, Germany) is an explorer of the deep seas of our present time, a satirist who works with both pen and brush. Like an octopus, he reaches out in many directions, using a variety of materials and techniques to engage with a wide range of themes. What connects his diverse body of work is his refreshing sense of humor, his sensitive awareness of the darker aspects of human experience, and his open-hearted courage to take artistic risks.
Matussik’s paintings reveal both playfulness and depth. Beneath the apparent wit that often meets the viewer lies a profound reflection on the contradictions of human existence. His inventive use of materials, surprising associations, and imaginative ideas invite a sense of joyful curiosity. At the same time, a quiet and poetic melancholy resonates through his work, giving it emotional weight and authenticity.
He studied design in Krefeld from 1987 to 1992 and traveled extensively through India, the United States, and Spain between 1989 and 1997. He has maintained studios in Spain, in the Allgäu region, in Düsseldorf, and since 2010 in Constance, Germany.