Stephan Backes (1982, Germany) is a multidisciplinary artist who navigates various artistic disciplines, including real-time computer simulations, painting and digital printed sculptural works. He obtained his Master of Arts in Painting from the Royal College of Art in London (2012-2014). Following, over a decade working and living in Berlin, Backes currently resides in a subruban area between the cities of Luxembourg, Cologne, and Frankfurt. His work proves to be an in-depth examination of pressing contemporary issues against the backdrop of the current post-pandemic crisis, the ongoing war in Europe and rising interest rates, which particularly affect the living standards in Western Europe. Backes draws from his own autobiographical experiences and personal explorations to artistically express and illustrate themes that are deeply rooted in the omnipresent challenges of suburbanization, land speculation, and contemplations of the fundamental right to housing. His creative research serves as a reflective response to the tumultuous times, shedding light on crucial matters such as the failures of social housing policies and the far-reaching impact of speculative real estate practices on young families and communities. His art has been featured in exhibitions at institutions, including Kunstverein Ludwigshafen, Museum Villa Vauban in Luxembourg, Arebyte Gallery in London, Yvonne Lambert in Berlin, or at Daily Lazy Projects in Athens. Backes' works have found their place in private collections, and he has actively participated in the Triennale of Contemporary Art in Luxembourg. Additionally, Backes has received nominations for the Robert Schuman Prize 2020 in Luxembourg and the Emy-Roeder Prize in 2014 in Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany and he has received a scholarship from the Stiftung Kunstfonds (2020) and the DAAD Germany (2010).