The Freedom to Travel - All Inclusive Painting

Kerstin Arnold's paintings are impressive. Kerstin Arnold paints people in a realistic depiction, mostly young women represented in true-to-life dimensions. This results in very large-format paintings, often with an edge length of two metres. It is not only the size of the works however that captivates the beholder; it is the realistic reproduction of the figures which is stirring. Over the years, Kerstin Arnold has developed a special approach to the work process of her paintings. Kerstin Arnold invites models to a studio and has them adopt various poses before photographing them in order to record her ideas for the work. In doing so she prefers female models. These photographs subsequently solely serve as a source of inspiration in the atelier and as a concept for the large-format paintings. These templates are then transformed into painting form in a creative encounter. A notable aspect is that Kerstin Arnold prefers a highly realistic representation almost reminiscent of pop art painting. Perspectives and proportions but also the arrangement of the folds and even the seams of the garments - Kerstin Arnold makes reality her own and transforms it in her works. In doing so, Kerstin Arnold is able to contribute her technical skill as artistic performance. For she succeeds in lending a very high degree of plasticity to the inner drawing of her paintings owing to shades full of nuances and colour gradients. The painterly representation of reality is so broad that one would recognise the individuals in real life. With her works, Kerstin Arnold creates highly unique compositions, for the scenery is restricted to implied environments. The models, accompanied by few accessories, usually act more like on a stage than in real surroundings. As a consequence, the beholder's attention is not distracted by any further details and the focus of the composition is solely placed on the female protagonist(s). The activity performed by the main character thereby becomes the actual subject of the painting. For when the young girl portrayed reads for instance, she is introverted and deeply engrossed in her activity. When two individuals talk on mobile telephones amidst much gesturing while turning their backs to each other, it is the garrulous reciprocal lack of words that dominates the picture. Despite societal issues, Kerstin Arnold's paintings remain extraordinarily positive.