Alexander Buss
Biography
From 1965 to 1978, I attended elementary school and high school, graduating in 1978. From 1973 until I began my photography studies, I held various jobs to earn money and also to get to know the world outside of school. This broadened my perspective and my view of the world.
Among other things, I worked as a gardener, on construction sites, in civilian service with people with disabilities, and as a taxi driver. At the same time, I developed a passion for taking pictures.
I then studied photography and worked as an assistant to Walter Sack. After graduating, I went into business for myself with Rainer Ehricke and worked with him until 2015.
Then I decided to focus exclusively on my artistic work and have participated in exhibitions in Cologne, Bonn, Prüm, Madrid, Glasgow, Paris, and Hamburg, among other places.
At the same time, I work as an assistant at “The Stage Galerie” in Cologne.
Artist Statement
My photographs are often more than just what I happen to see through the camera lens at that moment. They are the result of my current perceptions, combined with past impressions, things I have seen, and experiences I have had. I incorporate all of this into the composition of the image. This is something we do every day in our minds.
Technically speaking, we see with our eyes what is happening at any given moment; yet what we see is constantly being categorised, interpreted, and compared with our experiences and our ‘knowledge’. From this wealth of information, the brain creates its own unique images. Our vision is a spatial and/or emotional search for orientation and the desire to find our bearings.
My images are often a visual balancing act that bears a resemblance to painting. It must be made clear, however, that all elements, structures, and so on were originally photographed in their original form. I call it ‘photo-painting’. By utilising the possibilities offered by today’s digital techniques, I can creatively blend the various photographs together in my own way, thereby giving rise to my new visual worlds.
Technically speaking, we see with our eyes what is actually there; however, what we see is constantly being categorised, interpreted, and compared with our experiences and ‘knowledge’. The brain creates its own unique images from this wealth of information. Our vision is a spatial and/or emotional search for a way to orientate ourselves and a longing to find our bearings.
My images are often a visual tightrope walk that bears a resemblance to painting. It must be made clear, however, that all the elements, structures, and so on were originally photographed in their original form. I call it ‘photo-painting’. Using the possibilities offered by today’s digital techniques, I can creatively merge the various photographs in my own way and give rise to my new visual worlds.
I feel able to fuse my visual impressions with my perceptions and my imagination to create my own visual worlds. Of course, influences from others can always be recognised. For me, that is also part of the process and does not alter my own perspective. After all, we do not start from scratch with ourselves and our work; we are part of an ongoing process.
Instagram: @buss_alexander_cologne
Orientierung 2024, Print Photopainting 50 x 75cm on Alu Dibond
Nur schweigen 2025, Print Photopainting 50 x 75cm on Alu Dibond
My Bee what you see 2026,Print Photopainting 50 x 75cm on Alu Dibond
Gost Town 2025, Print Photopainting 50 x 75cm on Alu Dibond
Woman in white, Print Photopainting 50 x 75cm on Alu Dibond
Woman, Fire, Ignorance 2023, Print Photopainting 50 x 75cm on Alu Dibond
Play of coloures
Door Way, Print Photopainting 50 x 75cm on Alu Dibond
Dancing with herself, Print Photopainting 50 x 75cm on Alu Dibond
Bottles, Print Photopainting 50 x 75cm on Alu Dibond
