Showtime Painting

Based in Chicago, Isabelle Gougenheim paints the city as one would capture a pulse - between frenzy and poetry, between vibrancy and bursts of light. Her canvases tell the story of urban turmoil and beauty, a palimpsest of memories, colors, and movement. Each canvas is built like a sequence of overlapping scenes—an intricate weave of images and feelings, where the spontaneity of movement meets the depth of perception. Her art carries the pulse of daily life, the rhythmic energy of the city, where sounds and colors collide in a state of constant motion. Yet, within this vitality, moments of stillness emerge—pauses where emotion surfaces, where the material itself tells a more intimate story. In this interplay between intensity and contemplation, her unique world takes shape. Isabelle Gougenheim constantly explores new artistic territories. Acrylic paint, pastels, spray paint, inks, and markers—layer upon layer, building depth, texture, and transparency. Her work also carries a distinct textile influence—vibrant threads sewn directly onto the canvas add depth, a sense of movement, and an echo of woven memories from the past. Isabelle Gougenheim uses a wide range of tools—brushes brought back from Korea, pieces of wood found in the streets, rags, and brushes of all kinds. “Each tool brings a different movement and contributes to the raw, instinctive energy of my work.” “My work is shaped by experiences, encounters, and a multitude of influences. Painting, stitching, assembling—each gesture adds a new dimension to the piece. Being limited to a single medium is being restricted in my creativity. By blending techniques, I allow ideas to take shape in the most natural way.” Her preferred surface remains raw canvas, a material whose natural texture evokes skin—a living surface, ready to bear traces and scars. This medium allows her to build layers, sew, integrate different elements, and carve depth into the very fabric of her work.