Jon Merz
Lives and works in Berlin and Switzerland.
Jon Merz is a Swiss contemporary painter whose immersive canvases evoke a dreamlike interplay between abstraction and figuration. Rooted in an intuitive exploration of memory, sensation, and the subconscious, Merz’s work invites viewers into vibrant emotional landscapes — spaces that defy conventional perspectives and instead function as «mental mirrors», reflecting internal states of being.
Merz draws on a wide array of art historical references, from the ethereal color studies of Impressionism to the raw emotion of Expressionism and the gestural intensity of Abstract Expressionism. Yet his style is distinctly his own: fluid, poetic, and deeply introspective. His paintings often feature dissolving horizons, ephemeral forms, and shifting chromatic fields, all of which contribute to a sense of atmospheric dislocation. For Merz, painting is a process of revelation, a way of accessing and visualizing what lies beneath the surface of perception.
He describes his works as «Mirrors» — not reflections of the outside world, but of the interior one. Each composition emerges through a process of layering and erasure, a method that mirrors the way memory itself operates: fractured, nonlinear, and emotionally charged. Merz’s approach is both meticulous and instinctive, allowing for spontaneity while maintaining a deep sensitivity to form and texture.
Beyond their visual allure, Merz’s paintings operate as affective environments —spaces of encounter that encourage slowness, contemplation, and personal resonance. His recent solo presentation at the Château de Gruyères in Switzerland brought his work into dialogue with the historical architecture and natural landscape of the region, highlighting the timeless quality of his visual language.
Through his work, Merz reclaims painting as a site of poetic inquiry, where color and form can offer access to hidden emotional terrains. His practice continues to evolve as a meditation on how we see, feel, and remember.
Jon Merz © The Artist
