Statement
Lena Zak (b. 1994) is a visual artist working primarily in painting and sculptural objects, who also explores installation. Her practice is rooted in artistic research at the intersection of philosophy and psychology, focusing on the dual forces that shape and often divide human experience. Exploring and challenging themes of duality, conflict, self-concept, and transformation, Zak investigates the tension between external structures (societal norms, technological influence, inherited beliefs) and the inner self.
Her work draws from philosophical traditions that consider light as knowledge, energy, and power, as well as psychological theories on the unconscious and self-construction. By working with light and its absence (darkness) as both subject and medium she materializes the interplay between presence and absence, creation and entropy. The use of fire in her process mirrors resilience and metamorphosis, reinforcing the idea that destruction is an inherent part of renewal.
Zak’s paintings function as an abstract visual language, composed of repetitive, calligraphic gestures that accumulate into a cryptic system of marks. This unknown script recalls both ancient and futuristic codes, evoking the subconscious process of meaning-making and the symbolic language of Jungian archetypes. Works in objects / installation extend these ideas into spatial experiences, questioning the nature of selfhood in the digital age and the psychological impact of contemporary structures of control.
CV
Selected Exhibitions & Showcases
APRIL 2025
— Culterim studios group exhibition at CANK, curated by Mathilda Augart | Berlin, Germany
MARCH 2025
— The Unbound solo exhibition at PR55 project space, curated by Louise des Places | Berlin, Germany
JANUARY 2025
— The Unrequested at NOTAGALLERY, group show curated by Matilde Dani | Berlin, Germany
NOVEMBER 2024
— Mäzen at Giri Berlino by Giuseppe Moramarco, duo exhibition w. Sela Loex with dj set by Abs8lute, Chloe Lula, Amanda Mussi, Nick Moody, Chami, Earwax, Sanna Mun | Berlin, Germany
OCTOBER 2024
— Autumn Selection at Untergeschoss der Pandora Art Gallery curated by Guinchi | Berlin, Germany
MAY 2024
— LENA ZAK solo exhibition at the BASEMENT, SpätiBros, curated by Louise des Places | Berlin, Germany
DECEMBER 2023 - JANUARY 2024
— The Collective at THE HIGH LINE NINE galleries curated by VISIONARY PROJECTS | Chelsea, New York, USA
DECEMBER 2023
— Winter Residency Open Studio at GlogauAIR | Berlin, Germany
DECEMBER 2023
— Street Window Showcase at GlogauAIR | Glogauer Str., Berlin, Germany
SEPTEMBER 2023
— Street Window Showcase at GlogauAIR | Glogauer Str., Berlin, Germany
SEPTEMBER 2023
— Summer Residency Open Studio at GlogauAIR | Berlin, Germany
AUGUST 2023
— The Art of Access at PROJET MONÉ by NEW COLLECTORS gallery, curated by VISIONARY PROJECTS | Broadway, New York, USA
AUGUST 2023
— Garage Takeover pop-up exhibition | Bratislava, Slovakia
NOVEMBER 2022
— Lisbon Art Weekend at Duplex AIR | Lisbon, Portugal
APRIL 2021
— Facade at THE HOLY ART gallery | London, UK
FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021
— Spring Awakening by LONDON PAINT CLUB, digital showcase during the pandemic curated by Kelly Foster
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020
— Disrupting the Stillness, digital showcase during the pandemic curated by VISIONARY PROJECTS (NYC) and Lohme Art Gallery Malmö (Sweden)
SEPTEMBER 2020
— RESVÉS group exhibition | Lisbon, Portugal
AUGUST 2020
— 284 Open at Gallery Coletivo 284 curated by Clara Afonso | Lisbon, Portugal
JULY - SEPTEMBER 2020
— Dream Big III at Artzone 42 Gallery curated by Domna Chanoumidou | Athens, Greece
Art Residencies
SEPTEMBER 2024
— Artist in Residence at Duplex AIR | Lisbon, Portugal
JULY - DECEMBER 2023
— Artist in Residence at GlogauAIR | Berlin, Germany
OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2022
— Artist in Residence at Duplex AIR | Lisbon, Portugal
