Richard Drews (b. 1997, Leipzig) is a contemporary German painter whose evocative, luminous oil works explore the delicate intersections of human emotion, impermanence, and transformation. Having spent a childhood defined by frequent relocations, Drews developed an acute sensitivity to the fleeting nature of environments, memories, and identity at an early age. This nomadic formative experience eventually led him to a global exploration of space and culture, living and working in international cultural hubs including Tokyo, London, and Paris, before establishing his permanent studio in Berlin over a decade ago.

As an entirely self-taught artist, Drews’ practice is free from the rigid constraints of institutional academia. For the past seven years, he has dedicated himself to mastering the complex chemistry and historic allure of oil painting on canvas. His outsider status serves as a profound strength: it allows him an uninhibited, highly intuitive relationship with his materials, blending traditional craftsmanship with a distinctly modern, existential artistic voice. Following his inclusion in Galerie Schindler's acclaimed winter group exhibition, Diverse, Drews stands as one of the gallery's most compelling new contemporary positions.
Text by Galerie Schindler