CARSTEN BECK


" I seek to challenge simplicity and explore the complexity within what seems straightforward. My works don’t need to represent anything beyond their existence as paintings; what matters is the composition and the balance between black and white. Every stroke and layer of color is designed to create a visual harmony that invites constant reflection. By looking back and reinterpreting old ideas, I find inspiration to create something new and meaningful in concrete art."
— Carsten Beck
Danish artist Carsten Beck (born in 1986) lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark. He is represented by Escat Gallery in Barcelona, where he has had his most recent solo exhibition titled Order to Disorder. Beck’s artistic approach can be described as a Scandinavian minimalist expression, translated onto oil on canvas. His paintings are a unique blend of geometric perspectives, shapes, and figures, meticulously crafted with a mathematical attention to detail. Beck’s use of high-quality materials elevates the precision and clarity of his work, allowing each piece to make a strong visual impact.
His background in printmaking and photography provides him with a distinctive viewpoint, offering multiple angles and perspectives to explore within his art. This influence allows Beck to create new and compelling geometric forms, often with powerful and sometimes contradictory color combinations that challenge conventional boundaries. He enjoys the tension between these hues, creating work that simultaneously feels harmonious and dynamic.
Beck’s greatest inspiration for his artwork comes from the simple act of walking. By taking long walks, he captures new perspectives and angles, which he then translates into sketches and ideas. These walks not only serve as a creative exercise but also allow him to connect with his surroundings and build a fresh visual language. Beck seeks to relate his work to mid-century art while drawing inspiration from it. One of his most significant architectural influences is Alvar Aalto, whose work resonates with Beck’s minimalist approach and dedication to form.
For Beck, his art does not necessarily need to represent anything beyond being a painting. He believes that sometimes things do not have to make sense or symbolize something concrete. Instead, his focus is on composition and balance—particularly the contrast between black and white. From the layering of colors to the placement of figures, each element in his paintings must be precisely calculated. He thrives on the challenge of making simplicity appear interesting, enjoying the process of pushing himself to refine his concepts.
Carsten Beck is constantly revisiting and reworking old ideas and concepts, refining them to create new content and direction in his practice. This process allows him to redefine his artistic vision continuously. A major turning point in Beck’s career has been his exploration of concrete art, a path that has enabled him to delve deeper into the minimalist tradition while offering new insights into the potential of geometric abstraction.
His works have been showcased in various exhibitions, and his solo exhibition Order to Disorder at Escat Gallery in Barcelona further cements his position as a prominent figure in the contemporary art scene. Through his work, Beck continues to evolve and expand the language of minimalist art, drawing from the past while forging a distinctive path forward.