Robert Janitz’ Untitled benches are made from cast concrete and recall a form encountered by the artist while on a trip to Mexico City. The original bench was installed in playground, its fragile ledge pointing downward, more likely destroyed by human force than slowly eroded by time and weather. Janitz saw potential in this altered form, which brings to mind both a beast and a Brutalist sculpture. The shape exists in some liminal territory between abstraction and figuration. Janitz resurrected and recreated three zoomorphic benches in 2018; this investigative approach to structure and materials runs parallel to his painting practice.

Robert Janitz lives and works in Queens, NY. His paintings have been exhibited internationally. Recent solo exhibitions include König London (2019), CANADA, New York (2018), Anton Kern Gallery, New York (2018), Team Gallery, New York (2017, 2015), Meyer Riegger, Berlin (2017, 2014), Shoot The Lobster, New York (2012) and Clearing, Brussels/New York (2012, 2011). Janitz was a professor at École Supérieure Des Beaux Arts, Cherbourg, France in 2009 and a guest lecturer of visual arts at University Paris 8, Paris, France from 2003 to 2007. His work is included in 'Frozen Gesture' at Kunstmuseum Winterthur, Switzerland (2019).