Steffen Kern is among the artists featured in Junk Space, a major double exhibition exploring the unexpected beauty of overlooked and often anonymous places in our everyday surroundings. Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant celebrates the exhibition for its fascinating exploration of seemingly uninspiring environments, from abandoned stations and anonymous office buildings to shopping centres and airport waiting areas. Through painting, photography, sculpture and street art, more than thirty artists reveal the humour, melancholy and unexpected visual appeal of these often-neglected spaces.
Kern's work receives particular attention in the review. His evocative depiction of an airport waiting area initially resembles a grainy photograph, but is in fact a remarkably detailed drawing in pastel and coloured pencil. The reviewer highlights the work as one of the exhibition's standouts, demonstrating Kern's ability to transform an ordinary, functional space into an atmospheric and compelling image.
Junk Space is a collaboration between Museum MORE in Gorssel and STRAAT Museum in Amsterdam, and is on view from 7 November 2026 until 28 February 2027.
Read the full review in de Volkskrant.
