ABOUT THE ARTIST / BIO

Simon Thon studied at the "Ruhrakademie" art academy and subsequently worked in the advertising industry before establishing himself as a freelance photographer. His photographic work has always preserved a distinct artistic expression. Nevertheless, painting remains the true center of his creative output. In his studio, his work evolved from early figurative, realistic motifs toward an increasingly free abstraction.

Yet, he does not restrict himself solely to pure abstraction: much like in photography, he continues to create authentic portraits in painting that serve as snapshots of contemporary society. Working primarily with acrylics, pastels, charcoal, and oils, his practice bridges large-scale intuitive canvases with intimate series exploring "inner landscapes." Rejecting any assignment to a single style, he understands art as an open process. His painting thus becomes an intimate form of communication as well as an instrument for comprehending the world and its current tensions. Social contradictions, frictions, and shifts act as underlying forces in his pictures, lending them both emotional and intellectual urgency.

Alongside his studio practice, he conceives and directs interactive art festivals, guides youth art programs conceptually, and his work has been curated and selected by international gallerists and art historians across Europe.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2025 — FRAGMENTIERT, Extraschicht (Ruhr Heritage Night), Germany

2025 — FRAGMENTIERT, Glaselefant, Maximilianpark Hamm, Germany

2023 — Kammermusik, Extraschicht (Ruhr Heritage Night), Germany

2021 — Relation, Glaselefant, Maximilianpark Hamm, Germany

SELECTED PROJECTS & GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2025 — Initiator & Artistic Director, KUX Kunstfestival 

2017 — Relation, Artkaden, Wuppertal, Germany

2015 — Relation, Kunstpunkte, Düsseldorf, Germany

2015 — Relation, Le Tour Belgique, Cologne, Germany

2014 — Relation, Kreative Klasse, Unna, Germany

CURATORIAL RECOGNITION & AWARDS

European Curatorial Selection — Selected and curated by international gallerists, curators, and art historians (Paris, Florence, Berlin)

2017 — Nominee, ProfiFoto New Talent Award (powered by Canon)

2014 — Appointed Official Artist of the State Capital Düsseldorf (Offizieller Künstler der Stadt Düsseldorf)

ARTS EDUCATION & COMMUNITY WORK

2025 – Present — Conceptual design and pedagogical guidance of artistic projects and creative educational initiatives in youth work.