b. 1965, Gribbohm, Germany/Lives and works in Berlin, Germany

John Bock works with sculpture and performance to produce immersive universes that vary widely in scale and material. Some are constructed from found objects, others from materials like fabric, metal, food, and clothing. The recurring symbol of an astronaut or, as Bock calls him, “a little man in space” expresses the scientific, political, technological, and philosophical concerns that converge in his collaged objects, “lecture” performances and films.

Bock studied at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste, Hamburg. His artwork has been exhibited in many solo shows, including John Bock FRAC Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille (2005); Meechfieber Fondazione Nicola Trussardi, Milan (2004); Center for Contemporary Art, Kitakyushu, Japan (2004); Anton Kern Gallery, New York (2004, 2001, 1999); Arken Museum for Moderne Kunst, Ishoj, Denmark (2003); Oldenburger Kunstverein, Germany (2002); Sadie Coles HQ, London (2001); The Museum of Modern Art, New York (2000); and Kunsthalle Basel (1999, catalogue).

Group exhibitions include What’s New Pussycat? Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt (2005); Dionysiac Centre Pompidou, Paris (2005); When Humor Becomes Painful Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst, Zurich (2005); 51st Venice Biennale (2005); Lyon Biennale, France (2005); 54th Carnegie International, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh (2004, catalogue); Sitings: Installation Art, 1969-2002 Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (2003); Grotesque! Thirty Years of Witty Art Schirn Kunsthalle, Frankfurt (2003, traveled to Haus der Kunst, Munich);Extension Magasin 3, Stockholm Konsthall (2002); Documenta 11, Kassel, Germany (2002, catalogue); LehmLehmLehmLehmLehm Regen Projects, Los Angeles (2001); and 48th Venice Biennale (1998, catalogue).