Collection: Jesse Faber

The photo series and eponymous photography book Die Kunst ein Mensch zu sein by Amsterdam-based artist Jesse Faber is a reaction to the dialogue between two of the most important contemporary artists in history: Joseph Beuys, who once said ‘Jeder Mensch ist ein Künstler’, upon which Martin Kippenberger responded ‘Jeder Künstler ist ein Mensch’.

This book, which is published to celebrate Faber’s 20 years jubilee, contains a selection of Faber’s masked portraits shot in the 1990’s with a 6 x 6 Hasselblad camera and a new series of portraits recently shot by the artist. Dutch author Arnon Grunberg has replenished the book with an extensive essay about Faber and his work process.

Die Kunst ein Mensch zu sein deals with the role of identity in our daily lives in a humoristic manner. But is also has very serious undertone: can we really be who we are? Or do we wear masks to cover-up our real identity and show the outside world a different face?

About Jesse Faber

Jesse Faber (Amsterdam, 1973) graduated in 1999 from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. His fine art practice focuses on portraits and emotions, which transfer facial expressions. Faber works as a painter, photographer, actor and director. His work has been exhibited in Amsterdam, London, Basel, New York and Miami.