Thomas Ruff (b. 1958 Zell am Harmersbach) studied photography at the Academy of Fine Arts in Düsseldorf with Prof. Bernd Becher. He he lives and works in Düsseldorf.
Since the 1990s Ruff has been a leading figure in contemporary art for the exploration of the photographic medium and its potential.
Starting with the the renowed series of “Portraits”, rigorous portraits of monumental dimensions, in which any “psychologising” approach to the image is denied, his artistic production has then embraced different categories of image: from nude to pure abstract, from celestial bodies to extra-terrestrial surfaces, from interiors to architecture. This variety of themes is reflected in the range of techniques adopted: analog and digital images, computer-generated images, archival photographs and images manipulated by newspapers, magazines and the Internet.
Despite the plurality of his choices, in all his works, Thomas Ruff always looks at the fundamentals of the photographic language: his production appears as a true grammar of photography, in which every trial aims to reread and problematize the traditional photographic code. Ruff does not photograph reality, on the contrary, he portrays the realities and possibilities of photography. Photography creates an image, something that reflects itself above all, and whose relationship with reality is problematic, all to prove.
Lia Rumma Gallery has been representing his work since his first solo show at the gallery in Naples, dated 1991.
From 3 April to 14 July 2025, Fondazione Prada, Milan will host “Typologien”, an extensive survey of twentieth-century German photography, in the central Podium space. Curated by Susanne Pfeffer, art historian and director of the Museum MMK für Moderne Kunst in Frankfurt, the exhibition brings together over 600 photographic works
‘Typologien’ is an extensive survey dedicated to 20th century German photography. The project, hosted in the Podium, the central space of the Milan venue, is curated by Susanne Pfeffer, art historian and director of the MUSEUM MMK FÜR MODERNE KUNST in Frankfurt. The project applies the principle of ‘typology’, born
“Expanded With” is part of “Expanded”, an exhibition in three chapters, curated by Marcella Beccaria and Elena Volpato, designed to enhance the photographic core of the Fondazione per l’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea CRT Collection, on loan to Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea and GAM Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna e
“Everybody Talks About the Weather” is a research exhibition that explores the meanings of weather in visual art, taking weather conditions as a premise for addressing the issue of the ongoing climate emergency. The project is conceived by curator Dieter Roelstraete and presented in Venice, in the spaces of the
Schaulager is proud to present a major group exhibition this year and has good reason to celebrate: Schaulager is turning 20 years young! Most of the works on display were acquired in recent years for the collection of the Emanuel Hoffmann Foundation. The focus of the exhibition is time-based media.
From 12 May 2023 until 24 September 2023, the exhibition Akris. Fashion. selbstverständlich at the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich celebrates the house’s centenary with a focus on the recent present and its unique savoir faire.
