The Life and Origins of Mitja Tušek

Mitja Tušek enters the scene in 1961, born in Maribor, Slovenia. His early years are shaped by a move to Switzerland, where he is raised. This movement between borders establishes a trajectory that eventually leads him toward the center of the European art scene. He is a painter.

The focus shifts to Brussels. He has lived in this city for more than ten years, establishing a long-term presence in the Belgian capital. His life is defined by this steady residency, a period of stability that anchors his practice as he navigates the complexities of contemporary painting.

Technique and Artistic Style

The canvas becomes a site of physical tension through the heavy application of wax, lead, and pigment. These materials do not merely sit on the surface; they interact through absorption and reflection to create an ambiguous perception of the image. One does not simply see the subject; one guesses it. The layers of pigment and wax build up a tactile density, lending a ghostly quality to the figurative elements. Under certain light, these forms seem to hover on the edge of disappearance.

This materiality drives a constant movement between abstraction and figuration. The boundaries are never fixed. In his figurative works, the subject matter often dissolves into near-abstraction. Conversely, even in his most abstract compositions, the presence of an image is never entirely evacuated. The paintings exist in a state of flux, where the material weight of the wax competes with the visual suggestion of a landscape or a portrait.

Major Exhibitions and Recognition

The international art world takes notice in 1992. At Documenta 9 in Kassel, Tušek’s paintings occupy a temporary pavilion, positioned directly across from the works of Richard Artschwager and Gerhard Richter. This placement marks a significant moment of visibility. By 1993, the focus shifts to Antwerp, where his work is featured in the exhibition 'Het sublieme gemis' at KMSKA. The momentum continues through the decade; in 1996, his presence extends to the Irish Museum of Modern Art for 'The Event Horizon'.

The turn of the millennium brings a focus on resonance and contemporary processes. In 2002, Tušek participates in 'l'Effet Larson - processus de résonance dans l'art contemporain', an exhibition spanning OK-Linz and Casino Luxembourg. Following this, the year 2011 sees his inclusion in 'Great Balls Of Fire'.

Recent years maintain a steady presence in the Belgian art scene. In 2024, he participates in 'Trickle-down Economics' at Baronian and Rec Room in Brussels. His work remains active in major institutional dialogues, including the 9e Biënnale van de Schilderkunst, running from June to October 2024. The momentum carries into the next season with 'Eloquent Formalism', scheduled from November 2024 through April 2025.

Where to See His Works Today

The physical presence of Mitja Tušek’s practice remains anchored in institutional collections. His work is held within the Rijksmuseum Twenthe in Enschede. This placement ensures his material explorations of wax and pigment are preserved within a formal museum setting. Documentation of his output also exists within the Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens. For those researching his professional trajectory, the Contemporary Art Library maintains records of six of his specific projects.

The dialogue between his paintings and other media continues in contemporary spaces. A scheduled exhibition titled *Wait and See* brings his work to De Centrale, running from 10.04 to 24.08.2025. This presentation places his canvases in a direct encounter with the video works of Bertille Bak, testing the boundaries of representation and the construction of the image.