Family of Five At Dinner Table Print

Having started with painting and drawing in the 1990s, as of 2010 I became a student with the Chinese-German artist and art Professor Qi Yang for several years. From 2013 to 2015, I took part in his master class; in May 2024, I was lucky to join Professor Yang's master class again, with the prospect of staying at least until May 2026. - My artwork centers on Figurative Art, embracing the styles of Neo-Expressionism, Minimal Art and Glitch (a novelty in traditional fine art). My work includes painting, drawing and printmaking. Prominent in my artworks are real people whom I have known or observed, either presently or from memory, in everyday situations. Generally, I work on themes in serial format. One major series concentrates on the theme "Family", particularly the "Extended family of my childhood". By the means of artwork, I resurrect those whom I owe not only my life but a bright, loving childhood that would carry me through come rain or shine: My parents and my grandparents, of course, but also sixteen aunts and uncles. Via portraits - sometimes rather heads - inspired by family album fotos, and supported by memory, I magically bring everybody back to life. Another project focusses on persons of public interest: For instance acclaimed authors of page-turner novels, but also prominent political leaders and human rights activists. And one theme that I take up from time to time in various interpretations, starting in 2023, is entitled "Screaming Pope": It is my tribute to the great British painter Francis Bacon (1909-1992) whom I deeply admire. Beyond all, my artwork also includes imagos of myself: Self-portraits, sometimes keenly projected into a future where, for example, I see myself as a lady of age 84. - Whatever I touch, my artwork is always guided by empathy. Even where my persons go through hardship and pain, there is innate humane power and dignity. This said, the viewer can connect instantly and almost on an instinctive level. Of course, my artwork is never easy-going; the viewer will oftentimes feel challenged or even bothered having to interpret, associate, and simply withstand. - As to my techniques, they are free and experimental, and classical at once. Either on canvas or on paper, I paint with acrylic, aquarelle, oil, ink or pastels, but also self-made egg-tempera and casein. In my drawings I favor graphite and charcoal, occasionally also markers. In addition I love to do prints, oftentimes experimental monotypes.