Liberation Dance and Motivation.
The theme of liberation dance has often been the subject in my paintings. Birch Dance (2014) currently on display at the Berchtoldvilla also has something to do with this. The theme of liberation and longing for freedom are like a common thread. That is why I will try to put into words what is unconsciously behind this and my artistic motivation.
“Art washes the dust of everyday life from the soul” (Picasso)
This quote from Picasso describes a very important aspect of art. Because art is something essential to life. If art is missing, we starve internally. Unfortunately, this is often underestimated because it is not visible on the outside. That’s part of my motivation for making art. But it goes beyond that.
My art is an expression of the human longing for infinity. It is meant to bring people into contact with divine infinity.
It takes place in the tension between our finiteness and imperfection on the one hand, and divine infinity on the other. Other words for this are longing for freedom, eternity or eternal life, transcendence. It is also about serenity, acceptance of our imperfection. Linked to this is the knowledge or experience that I am loved just as I am.
The series “ Cheerful & Serene” (separate website) also has this longing for infinity and harmony as its theme: it is colorful and thus expresses the joy of life, despite all inconsistencies, challenges or obstacles. Most of the paintings in this series are based on an endless line.
Not Good Enough?
The inner critic says to me “You’re not good enough” and thus contradicts the voice of Jesus, who says “I love you as you are” (which doesn’t mean that I have to stay that way). Even in my relationship with Jesus, it is a process of growth, on the one hand to admit my failures, to face them honestly, and on the other hand to know “Yes, I am loved” despite my mistakes and imperfections.
The longing for freedom is in all of us. But by freedom I don’t mean the abolition of all rules (by saying there is no right or wrong). For me personally, freedom means above all becoming free from the tendency to push myself. The tendency to push myself has its origin in the voice of the inner critic “You are not good enough”. But God shows me his love and acceptance despite my imperfection, and this opens the door to true freedom. The longing for infinity and liberation are therefore closely linked to my relationship with God. And as such part of my artistic motivation.
Subconscious Motivation
As a dyslexic, I think in pictures, not in words. And so my artistic motivation is also something that seems “inexpressible” to me. That’s why it’s not so easy for me to put this subconscious motivation into words. This article is an attempt to communicate the inexpressible:
On the one hand, my art is an expression of the longing for freedom, serenity and infinity. On the other hand, it is also intended to convey what I have already experienced through my relationship with God. I want to pass this on in my art. And I hope that the viewers of my art can feel it.
May you be touched by divine infinity and love!
Below are the details of the exhibitions and pictures mentioned:
“Movement” in Sankt Gilgen
The paintings “Schwungvoller Befreiungstanz” (Vibrant Liberation Dance) and “Schwungvoll Auftauchen” (Emerging with Verve) are currently on display at the Kulturhaus Sankt Gilgen until June 1. They are part of the joint exhibition with the theme “Movement”. (If you understand German, you can find more details and videos in the German version of this article.)
“I see that which you do not see” in Salzburg
The painting “Birkentanz” (Birch Dance, 2014) can be viewed in the Berchtoldvilla from today. It is part of the exhibition “I see that which you do not see”. The exhibition opens on May 9, 2025 and runs until June 18, 2025. Closely related to it is the painting “Befreiungstanz” (Liberation Dance, 2014), which has already been sold.
