The atmospheric and the space itself, with all its manifestations, are often the starting point in Wolfgang Karl May's work. Inspiring impressions, formally unusual and challenging impulses from outside, or spontaneous ideas, encounter inner processes of sorting and intuitive connection. His installations attempt to lead the viewer to a new experience and perception and often enable immersive experiences. The space itself is an integral part of his artwork, but he transforms it decisively and gives it a new atmosphere. In his paintings, objects and performances, he also encourages us to think beyond the given, to remain flexible, to connect the historical with our own lives and to conquer new - airy - spaces. His works are thus an invitation to trace and reflect on one's own being, one's own perception and one's own feelings about art, are testimonies to a contemplative and philosophical examination of the nature of art and a tool for a new way of experiencing the world, which seeks to transform and sensitise in all directions, according to the premise of his performance: "Let's get out of here!".

Wolfgang Karl May studied communication design in Augsburg from 1989-1993. In 1993 he began his studies in painting, object art and free graphics at the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg, where he explored the conditions of painting and began to seek answers to the question: "What is a picture? In 1996, he continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, where he attended the master school for sculpture under Professor Bruno Gironcoli. In 1997, he attended the Chelsea College of Art and Design in London on a scholarship, where he explored the boundaries of sculpture. In 2000 he was awarded a Master of Arts in Vienna. In 2002, he received a DAAD scholarship for a one-year stay in New York, where he studied at the Union Institute, Performance Art.

Wolfgang Karl May has received several awards and scholarships during his artistic career. In 2002, he was also honoured with the Volker Hinniger Art Prize of the City of Bamberg. In 2000 he was honoured with the Debutante Prize of the Bavarian State and in 1999 he received the graduation prize of the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg.

Wolfgang Karl May exhibits both nationally and internationally. His solo exhibitions include "Splaces 21" at the University of Witten/Herdecke in 2011, "Dürer Ahoy" at the Albrecht Dürer House in Nuremberg in 2009 and "Pink" at the Dabora Gallery in New York in 2003.

Wolfgang Karl May has participated in group exhibitions including "the beauty of covid" Berlin 2023, "Lost and Found 2" in Nuremberg in 2021, Colours Go Lightly - a homage to colour, Bridgehampton, New York/US 2012, When a tree falls in the forest, Pastiche, Sølyst Artist Center, Denmark 2010, „esperanto, brick 5, Vienna/ Austria.