'Art should feel like a playground' | Björn Heyn Timestamp

Björn Heyn is a Berlin-based artist whose practice spans painting, sculpture, and installation. Known for his playful and experimental approach, his work explores the balance between chaos and structure, often combining raw materials, geometric forms, and intuitive mark-making. Working largely through trial and error, Heyn embraces curiosity and spontaneity in the studio, allowing each piece to evolve organically through layers of color, texture, and form. His paintings often begin with raw canvas and layers of pigments, charcoal, and mixed materials before evolving into compositions that combine abstract forms, geometric structures, and references to classical still life. The result is a visual language that feels both spontaneous and carefully constructed. Throughout the conversation, Heyn reflects on the importance of keeping a sense of play in the studio. Influenced by the freedom and creativity he sees in children’s art, he often incorporates intuitive decision-making and experimentation into his process. From creating chaos on the canvas to slowly refining it with clean shapes and layers, his work moves between disorder and structure. Heyn also speaks about building a creative life outside traditional art school systems, developing his practice through self-directed experimentation and collaboration. Early in his career he co-founded an artist collective that organized exhibitions and projects, creating opportunities for artists to show work and support one another. Beyond painting, Heyn explores sculpture, installation, and participatory workshops. His work frequently expands beyond the canvas - bringing objects, space, and viewer interaction into the experience of the artwork. For Heyn, art is not about rigid definitions or exclusivity. It’s about curiosity, experimentation, and making creative spaces more accessible to everyone. --- Explore more of Björn Heyn's work here: Instagram:   / bjoernheyn   Website: https://www.bjoernheyn.de/?utm_source... -- Filmed and produced by Timestamp - documenting artists, ideas, and creative lives around the world. Timestamp is an arts education organization dedicated to bringing the contemporary art world to a global audience. We create a documentary series that goes beyond the artwork to explore the minds and practices of contemporary artists around the world. Through intimate, cinematic interviews and immersive visuals, we document the personal philosophies, studio rituals, and emotional landscapes that shape the art of our time, creating a vital educational resource for all. To continue this mission and keep this educational content accessible, we rely on the generosity of donations and sponsorships. Your support directly funds the production of these insightful films, ensuring the next generation of artists and enthusiasts can learn from the masters of today. — Want to support Timestamp? Donate here! https://buymeacoffee.com/mgmttimestz — Read the full story here: https://timestamp-art.com/bjorn-heyn/ — Timestamp - Interviews with the art world. Website: https://timestamp-art.com/ Instagram:   / time____stamp   TikTok:   / time____stamp   Learn more: https://beacons.ai/time____stamp Listen to Timestamp interviews on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/show/76yZVdQ... — Help support Timestamp (we're an Amazon Associate) when you buy art supplies with our affiliate links (we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you): Painting Supplies Shop for Acrylic Paint: https://amzn.to/43UkZLA Shop for Oil Paint: https://amzn.to/469Oha5 Shop for Canvas: https://amzn.to/4nG9q1I Shop for Brushes: https://amzn.to/4nJQJdQ — #BjörnHeyn #ArtistInterview #Timestamp