In LA, Matt Stromberg spends a memorable few hours with German artist Florian Krewer ahead of the artist’s first West Coast solo show
At first sight, Florian Krewer seems out of place in Michael Werner Gallery’s new Los Angeles outpost, located in Beverly Hills across the street from Gagosian, a block off ritzy Rodeo Drive. The German-born artist rocks a fresh and clean street look, with shiny black Jordans on his feet matching a black White Sox hat on his head, his body, arms, neck and face adorned with monochrome tattoos. Krewer got most of his tattoos after moving to New York in 2020, laying bare facets of his identity, his past, and his aspirations on his skin. His bicep features a half mermaid – half sailor, designed by Simone Doig, reflecting gender fluidity. “Fear” and “Love” are emblazoned on his eyelids, inspired by similar ones on Lil Wayne reading “fear” and “God”. Two panthers prowl along his forearms. His chest is covered by a large tiger mask tattoo.
