1971
Born in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA
1992
Art Students League, New York
1996
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with Honors – School of Visual Arts, New York
2015
Guest Faculty, Bard College Berlin
2019
Guest Faculty, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York
2017 – 2022
Director of Studio Arts, Bard College Berlin
Public Commissions
2024
“Wandlung”, The German Bundestag (Neustaedtische-Kirchstrasse 4-5), Berlin
2017
“Prana”, Kopernikus-Oberschule, Berlin
Solo Exhibitions
2022
“Replace The Space”, Kommunale Galerie, Berlin
2018
“RELICS”, Zentralwerk, Dresden
2016
“Declared”, 2025, Hamburg
2014
“Prey Voidant”, Alexander Levy, Berlin
2012
“Post-Hyper”, Galeria Pilar, São Paulo
2010
“Burn Out”, Kjubh Kunstverein, Cologne
“Whip Lash”, Smack Mellon, Brooklyn
2009
“SOOTO hungry”, Galerie Lena Brüning, Berlin
2007
“THE ITCH”, Galerie Lena Brüning, Berlin
2006
“SUBLIMATOR”, Galerie Schmela, Düsseldorf
2005
“UFO-UMIS”, Galerie Lena Brüning, Berlin
Selected Group Exhibitions
2020
“WAENDE | WALLS”, Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, Stuttgart
2016
“Detail”, BLOK Art Space, Istanbul
2015
“Black Bandits”, Haus am Lützowplatz, Berlin
2014
“Cast Away”, BLOK Art Space, Istanbul
2013
“Piccola Germania”, Cinque Garzoni, Venice
“Science Fictions”, Cafe Warschau, Berlin
“My Fear Is Your Desire”, Schau Fenster, Berlin
2012
“Uncanny Home”, The Corridor, Reykjavik
“Miniature By Serendipity”, Bar Babette, Berlin
“Exposição Coletiva”, Galeria Pilar, São Paulo
2011
“a painting show”, Autocenter, Berlin
“Navigating Darkness”, Tape Modern, Berlin
“Fuzzy Dark Spot”, Raum Für Zweckfreiheit, Berlin
“Shifting The Everyday”, Galerie Levy, Berlin
2010
“Unter Oberflächen”, Delikatessenhaus, Leipzig
“Amsterdam-Berlin”, De Service Garage, Amsterdam
“The Ear Of Giacometti”, Galerie Levy, Hamburg
“Grand Hotel Panhans”, Atelier Jungfernstieg, Hamburg
“Satellites”, Freies Museum, Berlin
2009
“Octet”, Pera Museum, Istanbul
“The Sequel I & II”, Cinque Garzoni, Venice
“Über Zeichnung”, Galerie Olaf Stüber, Berlin
2008
“Kunst und Wirtschaft”, Genius Hellerau, Dresden
2007
“Aktive Konstellationen”, Brno House of Art, Brno
“TOMBOLA“, Kjubh Kunstverein, Cologne
“Works on Paper“, Galerie Lena Brüning, Berlin
“Niveaualarm“, Kunstraum Innsbruck, Innsbruck
2006
“Minimal Illusion”, Villa Merkel, Esslingen
“Abstract Art Now”, Wilhelm-Hack-Museum, Ludwigshafen
“Schon vergeben”, Art Cologne
2005
“Imaginary Realities”, Art Agents, Hamburg
“Passion des Sammelns”, Halle 14, Leipzig
“Pathetischer Betrug”, Art Frankfurt
2004
“Ein tag, ein raum, ein bild”, Sebastian Fath Contemporary, Mannheim
“So genau wollt ichs gar nicht wissen”, Galerie Olaf Stüber, Berlin
Grants / Residencies / Awards
2022
Kunstfonds Grant, Bonn
2021
Bard College OSUN Faculty Research Grant (Human Rights and the Arts), New York
2020
Research Grant (Recherchestipendium Bildende Kunst), Senatsverwaltung für Kultur, Berlin
2017
2nd Prize (Art in Public Space), “Wandlung”, Deutscher Bundestag, Neustädtische-Kirchstrasse 4-5, Berlin
2016
1st Prize (Art in Public Space), “Prana”, Kopernikus-Oberschule, Berlin-Steglitz
2013
Stiftung Deutsche Klassenlotterie, Berlin
2011
Stiftung Künstlerdorf Schöppingen, NRW Germany
2010
Fountainhead Residency, Miami
2009
Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant, New York
2007
7.Stock Residency, Dresden
2001
MacDowell Colony Residency, New Hampshire
2000
Yaddo Residency, Saratoga Springs, New York
Print Publications
2015
“Black Bandits”, Haus am Lützowplatz, Wasmuth Verlag
2014
“CORE”, John von Bergen, Kerber Verlag / d.a.p.
“Addicted To Walls”, Anne Vieth, Verlag Silke Schreiber
“Das Buch”, Ambach / Jensen, WG/3Zi/K/BAR, pp. 187 – 189
2013
“Invenatrio No.7”, Carraini Edizioni
“The Brooklyn Review”, Issue #30, April 24, pp. 80-81
2011
“Fuzzy Dark Spot”, Wolfgang Oelze, Revolver Verlag
“The Ear of Giacometti”, Galerie Levy, Kerber Verlag
2009
“Octet”, Suzanne Anker / Peter Hristoff, Pera Museum
2006
“abstract art now”, Wilhem Hack Museum, Kerber Verlag
2005
“Pathetischer Betrug”, Nina Koidl / Ludwig Seyfarth, Salon Verlag
Selected Reviews / Interviews
2022
Visual Essay: John von Bergen, Berlin Art Link, June
2020
Interview with Kunstmuseum Stuttgart
2015
“From Basel to the Biennale: How to ship a masterpiece”, Kimberly Bradley, BBC, May 5
2014
“John von Bergen at Alexander Levy”, AJ Kiyoizumi, Berlin Art Link, February 6
“Albtraum des Trockenbauers”, Marcus Woeller, TAZ, January
“Von Wandfragmenten über Zivilisationen bis in die eigene Psyche”, Meike Jansen, FAZ, February
Artist Talk with Jonathan Lethem, Alexander Levy, Berlin, February 21
2011
“John von Bergen”, Interview with Samuel Jablon, BOMB Magazine, April 11
“John von Bergen”, Jessyca Hutchens, Berlin Art Link, April
“Declared”, John von Bergen, Temporary Art Review, April 25
2010
“John von Bergen / Michelle Weinstein”, Marina Cashdan, Modern Painters, May
“A Tree Blows in Brooklyn”, John Haber, Haberarts
“Amsterdam-Berlin”, Kees Keijer, Het Parool, April 24, p. 31
2009
“Drachenflug”, Simone Reber, Tagesspiegel, November 14
2007
“Die Wand wirft Falten”, Thea Herold, Tagespiegel, October 6, p.30
2006
“Art Cologne”, Swantje Karich, FAZ, November 4, p.51
“SUBLIMATOR”, Helga Meister, Westdeutsche Zeitung, September 20
“New Home For Art”, Katja Winckler, Deutschland Magazine, April/May, p.32
2004
“So genau wollt ichs gar nicht wissen”, Christina Wendenburg, TIP, April 8, p.68
Public Collections
The German Bundestag, Berlin
Berlinische Galerie, Berlin
Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, Stuttgart
Kunstmuseum der Stadt, Albstadt
Whitney Museum, New York