about

Alexander lis is a contemporary artist based in frankfurt am main. in lis abstract works, he examines the interplay of structure and movement across layers of color, rhythm, and transparency. rooted in graffiti and design, lis’ compositions balance control and lightness, natural patterns and shifting horizons. his works reference atmospheric and topographic structures, raising the question of where nature ends and human influence begins. lis has exhibited in germany, the netherlands, and Switzerland; his works are held in several private collections.

based in fankfurt am main

since 2013
co-founder, creative direction and visual consulting at dbf.design, frankfurt am main

since 2006
freelance work in design and art contexts in london, berlin, amsterdam and frankfurt am main

2004 – 2011
university of applied sciences darmstadt – diploma in communication design
university of applied sciences vorarlberg (austria) – media design
hfg offenbach, postgraduate studies – visual communication

1983
b. in zwickau

photo: Arshia Maljaei

exhibitions (selection)

2026 – „zwischen färben sehen“, Taunus galerie / burg kronberg, solo, kornberg im taunus
2026 – „block compostitions“, atelier frankfurt, solo, frankfurt
2026 – „printemps“, atelier frankfurt, group exhibition, frankfurt
2026 – „stamina“, group exhibition, frankfurt
2026 – „ESNZ showroom“, group exhibition, bad nauheim
2025 – „open doors“, atelier frankfurt, frankfurt
2025 – „new & abstract group show #16“, berlin, represented by new & abstract
2025 – „kunstscene 2025“, tilburg (nl), represented by julien arts
2025 – „discovery art fair Frankfurt“, represented by new & abstract
2025 – „muralarum“, domagkateliers, münchen
2025 – „extended abstraction“, g143 frankfurt
2025 – „positions of print“, atelier frankfurt, frankfurt
2024 – „open doors“, atelier frankfurt, frankfurt
2023 – „open doors“, atelier frankfurt, frankfurt
2012 – „digital paintings“, basis frankfurt
2012 – „gradient painting – print fiction“, mixed reality
2011 – fourfivex edition 001, frankfurt, hamburg, leeds
2009 – fourfivex „my art is better“, frankfurt
2009 – „illustrative“, zurich
2009 – „neue freunde“, mainz
2004–2006 – youth art biennale, plauen/zwickau

press & publications

2026 – interview “Alexander Lis Mastering the Art of Structure and Movement”, wowart
2025 – interview “painting between stillness and movement”, new & abstract

awards

alexander’s innovative work has been recognized with numerous awards:

german design award (winner, special mention, newcomer finalist 2012)
european design award (3x)
adc gold new york
d&ad award
100 best posters germany
output award

teaching and lectures

alexander is also an experienced lecturer and workshop leader, having taught at institutions such as:

hfg karlsruhe, hfg offenbach, and muthesius kunsthochschule kiel
burg giebichenstein kunsthochschule halle
technical university nuremberg georg simon ohm
hochschule darmstadt

internationally, he has shared his expertise in countries such as the uk, sweden, and the netherlands.

projects and initiatives

alexander has spearheaded several significant creative projects, including:

after school club (2012, 2013) at hfg offenbach with eike könig
self-publishing book fair (2011, 2012), a platform for independent publishing
fourfiveX (2006–2016), a research project exploring experimental design and art