Karin Birkenmeier

Karin Birkenmeier was trained as a graphic designer. Given this background, her sure-handed and effective use of color, forms and formats cannot surprise us. Her technically skilled and precise paintings fascinate us again and again, and make us recognize her clear and unique style in her elaborate pieces of art instantly. Everything organic and figurative is of interest to Karin, along with pictures rich in symbols and ornaments. This allows her to portray philosophical and universal topics in a poetic and witty way. The backgrounds used by the artist usually are monochrome, colored surfaces. They display the detailed, almost photo-realistic objects in an optimal way. The dynamics of the surfaces and forms can be found in almost all her paintings, leading to a kind of a pop-scientific still life.
Metamorphoses, exceeding one’s own limits as in the cycle of paintings entitled „...and you shall grow wings...“, being man and being a female as such or archaic and humorous themes all belong to the frequently used motifs of her paintings. For instance, insects can turn into women, men can become beetles, inconspicuous pebbles or tiny wings of insects can be positioned on a grand stage. Extensive travels to Asia and North Africa must h...

1978 - 1983 Zürcher Hochschule der Künste.
Ausbildung zur Grafikerin.
1984 Start des eigenen Grafik-Design Ateliers
1987 - 1992 Künstlerische Studienreisen nach Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Bali, Philippinen

Seit 1994 in über 40 Ausstellungen, Einzel- und Gruppenausstellungen. Ständige Galerie in Zürich: Galerie Wehrli
2014 Ankauf der Stadt Uster
2016 SBB, Schweizer Bundesbahnen wählen ihre Bilder als Cover für die nationalen Kursbücher