Stephany distances from the notion of design as pure service. Instead she articulates the position of an author, bringing up and working on subjects and aspects she finds relevant in relation to contemporary art, design and culture. The visual language Stephany uses is developed in relation to the respective task, situation and context. The genesis of the work remains visible. Methodological dead-ends, ideas considered to be awkward or are otherwise abolished are not hidden but also presented. To fail—in terms of not meeting certain expectations she or others have—becomes an intrinsic part of Stephany’s work. This allows her to challenge to a large extent art and design, their respective traditions, standards and rules. Combining a genuine passion with analytical approach she pushes the perception and understanding of art, design and their relationship further.
Rebecca Stephany was born in Wittlich, Germany, in 1980. She lives and works in Amsterdam. Stephany studied Visual Communication at the Hochschule für Gestaltung in Offenbach am Main and Graphic Design at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. Since 2007 she teaches Grafikdesign an der Gerrit Rietveld Academie. For 2010 and 2011 she has gotten a residency for the renowned Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam.