審査員評

In his works, Max Haering appeals to our mind rather than to our feelings. The artist expects the viewer to be as intelligent as he is. His illustrations are revealed only to those who are able to understand the full scale and multi-layered nature of the idea. The harsh, clear manner of execution, the merciless satire, and the black and white palette create a harmony. These artworks are able to get anyone's lazy mind process going.

Ekaterina Borodacheva

What an epic series! I really enjoyed watching the line shading in the ink drawings. I think Max has successfully conveyed an epic yet darkly humorous world, where each character and element is carefully depicted. Especially with the figures—on one hand, the strong silhouettes and distinct clothing make them easily recognizable. On the other hand, the vivid depiction of facial and body expressions makes the audience fully relate to their emotions. I also appreciate the variation Max created within the crowds, with individuals reacting or working on the same task in different ways. It reminds me of Renaissance paintings that capture lively, vivid moments among the people. Great and impressive work.

Max Liu

The artist demonstrates masterful skill in detailed depiction, and the use of black-and-white tones further enhances the texture of the work. The diverse cast of characters and their expressive faces create a playful, absurd atmosphere.

Moon Q

Max Haering’s series is a masterclass in tonal drawing and compositional density. Referencing engraving and etching traditions, the work uses intricate cross-hatching, paper grain, and selective text to construct crowded visual allegories. The interplay of historical, cultural, and fictional characters creates a surreal timeline that feels both critical and theatrical. Each illustration invites extended viewing, functioning simultaneously as image, text, and time capsule.

Nadiia Zhelieznova

The artist's precise control of his personal style and persistence are admirable. The seemingly chaotic but highly structured thin straight lines in the images are delicately interlaced to create rich grey levels. This technique of using short lines to express transitions between chiaro and scuro and to shape spatial relationships seems to combine the delicate texture of a woodcut with the classical flavour of a pice of etching or engraving. What is even more fascinating is the artist's ingenious design: in the corners of each work, the capitalised hollow characters carefully outlined by dark-lined rectangular frames resemble news clippings from old newspapers, adding a layer of vintage style to the works, and this creative idea of turning text elements into visual symbols gives the whole picture a unique narrative charm.

Yimin Wang

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