Interview
Catherine Pennington Meyer
Catherine Pennington-Meyer is an award-winning British artist who lives and works in Augsburg, near Munich, in Germany. Her work concentrates primarily on abstract expressionism. Catherine has participated in exhibitions throughout Europe and the US, and has quickly established a prestigious international customer base. In addition to White Space, and various online platforms, she is, or has been, represented through Wychwood Art Gallery in the UK, Five3 Gallery in the USA and Blue Blood Gallery in Prague as well as ARTOUI Gallery and Parcus Gallery in Munich.
Over time, as her work has developed, she has been increasingly compelled towards abstraction, through which she feels able to communicate an energy which is untethered by the constraints of realism. She enjoys playing with light, depth and movement in her art to give it immediacy and to draw a viewer into the composition. Catherine also enjoys poetry, and her works occasionally have accompanying narratives. Catherine views visual and written art as two sides of one coin and likes the notion that ‘painting is silent poetry, and poetry painting that speaks’ (Plutarch).
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I suppose that is quite a subjective question and depends on what your definition of the art world is. I don`t think I ever intentionally entered it. I think the ability and desire to create is an innate part of us all. and even those who would say that they aren`t creative in any way, I would argue, are creative in some way - but perhaps they don`t recognize it as being so. I have always painted and drawn since I can remember, so I would beg to argue that I was always a part of the art world or perhaps better to say it was a part of me. If what we are referring to, is painting to exhibit, or to sell art in a far more concrete or limited definition, then I decided to step into that quite late in life.
After completing an MA in English Literature and Language, I went on to do a post graduate MSc in `Ìnformation Analysis' and kid of fell into the technology world firstly as a Research Analyst - which was bit like being a Technology journalist and advisor, then I became a Product Manager in the World`s first 3G company. I then went on to work for O2 as Future Device Technology Manager running the future technology roadmap in the devices team. At that point, I painted purely for me but wasn`t convinced about the financial security of being a full time artist at all. In fact I didn`t even entertain the idea. At that point getting on the property ladder and financial security was far more important to me than being emotionally fulfilled. I was young, ambitious and kind of scared of failure.
I lived in London and was very cognoscente of financial pressures. In 2006, I moved to Germany with my (then) husband for a year, and had my daughter here and because I thought that it was more safe, free and the quality of life was better for a child here, we stayed on and somehow as she grew up I never went `home`. The thing that changed my perspective on life in an irrevocable way, was the death of my sister, from cancer in 2010. That shifted my notions of what life should be and mean, the value of time, fulfillment and the ability to ever create `security`. And it was at that time that I decided to try to do something more meaningful for myself from myself.
Around the same time, my dad got Alzheimer's and after always hearing him talk about how when he retired, he would have the time to concentrate on his art (and buy a vinyard - although I think that was never quite so serious a goal) I saw that this would be something he would in fact not get to do. That also shifted my perspective. I decided that I would rather regret trying something than regret never having tried so I decided to start to try selling my art. To be honest, I never thought I would succeed at that. But I wanted to know I`d tried. I did my first èxhibition` at a little exterior glass box that you can hire in a town near me, and I sold that painting which greatly surprised me, then around the same time, we sold our house and all the people who kept coming to view it, kept asking me where I got my paintings and where they could buy one. The estate agent bought one, the builder bought one and then friends started asking if they could buy them and I started to believe that it was something I could actually do. So in 2016, I decided to rent a little shop in Augsburg where I live, and to test the theory and created Gallerie White Space, which I am running to this day.”
What inspires you?
“I have two main strands to my portfolio: One is real abstraction, where I seek to portray raw energy, colour and compositions which represent a subject matter through my own perspective. These can be inspired by almost anything, an article that I`ve read, sunlight splitting through glass on a windowsill, a philosophical thought, pictures of space. They are all fair game! The other strand of focus is a more semi abstract work where I often focus on nature, landscapes or waterscapes, which are often reimagined spaces from my childhood. I was very lucky to grow up amongst fantastically beautiful, wide open spaces in North Yorkshire and Scotland and these memories are a very strong source of inspiration for me. As a result, my landscapes are often infused with a great deal of emotion, since I associate very strong emotions with them and that comes through. I am also vastly inspired by the sea and water in general – I love the multi-faceted nature of water: The sea, lakes, ice, snow, waves, stormy weather. Water is such an incredible element and for some reason it speaks to my soul. Every so often I also dream paintings and when I wake up I am driven to create them in real life.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I think I partially answered that in the last question, but, broadly speaking, nature is a huge theme, and the wonder at the natural that we live in. I think it`s so important to notice and to see the beauty in the small things. Because ultimately they are the big things. I think we should never stop wondering at nature. Equally I`m also fascinated by how we fit into the bigger picture and space, how little we understand (all that dark matter just within our own tiny galaxy!) And again, I like to try to ponder things from a bigger perspective than just my own little world. We are all so very small and insignificant and we are so programmed to be driven by having and collecting more stuff.
A lot of the time my art reminds us to see and appreciate the world around us and to live in the moment and actually enjoy now, rather than being distracted by that big treadmill of owning more things. We spend so much of our time working in a job we are not interested in, being told to believe something that is in someone else`s interests - whether that is religious, political, or commercial. I think increasingly we are programmed to adhere to those values. Social media creates a bubble of subjective algorithmically processed information which challenges us less and less and tells us that what we already believe is the only correct viewpoint. I don`t mean to sound like an ageing hippie and I`m too cynical about human nature to think that something like communism or whatever could ever work. But that doesn`t mean we can`t question what drives us and try to be kind to each other. and aim higher. I feel that at the moment we are being pulled too far to the other extreme. That all plays to our biological programming - we`re all big monkeys everyone wants the biggest banana. But sometimes I think it makes sense to stop and think `why? Who am I trying to impress? Why do I need that? What are the things that actually make us happy? How would it feel if I consciously choose to say no? So, I guess living in the now and remembering how small we are and that we aren`t here for long would be underlying thoughts in general.”
How would you describe your work?
“My art is centered around abstract and semi abstract expressionism I would ultimately describe my work as emotive and emotional, at least that is what I would strive for. I want people to feel my art, for it to touch them on an intuitive level. I`d like to think it spreads a little happiness! I paint from within whether that be thoughts, memories or feelings. I am always going through different phases, sometimes I want to draw peaceful scenes sometimes I feel the need to paint raw energy. I joke that my paintings come from somewhere else and they just use me to be created. As I´ve become more comfortable and confident as an artist, I`ve learned to veer away from thinking too much whilst I create. When I do that I overthink and am too timid and the artworks are never as expressive. I try to make sure that I paint as intuitively as possible, whether that be concentrating on a feeling or emotion, or letting a composition flow and build itself without too much logic or fear of making a mistake interfering with what my instincts tell me to do. I try to let my art flow naturally. Sometimes I will have little arguments with myself – I`ll intuitively pick up a paint colour and something in me will say `no not that - it`s far too dark` and I force myself to use it because that´s what my intuition told me to do and 99% of the time it surprises me by working really well. I try to be brave when I`m painting and to not let myself be restrained by fear of doing something wrong. On a personal level, it`s my way of processing the world. If I don`t get to paint for a while I get kind of mentally itchy and it feels like I´m pent up. Art is an escape, a way to work through experiences and feelings, a way to get lost and occasionally to express my thoughts and opinions.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Funnily enough, people often say that (some of) my art reminds them of Monet. I think it`s because I like to paint water and so every now and then I paint water lilies. People can`t help but make that connection but actually, stylistically, I don`t think there is any kind of commonality! I add flowers to the water because I love quiet still waterscapes and adding flowers of whatever kind, adds interest, texture and colour. I mean don`t get me wrong it`s great compliment and I absolutely love Monet, just as I love Turner, and The Pre Raphaelites and Klimt and many many others. But I don`t think I am really influenced by anyone in particular. As I said before, my art is from within out outside. To be honest I also don`t particularly want to be influenced by anyone else!”
“My art is centered around abstract and semi abstract expressionism I would ultimately describe my work as emotive and emotional, at least that is what I would strive for.”
What is your creative process like?
“I like using acrylic because I like the flexibility of it – you can use it really thickly like oil or dilute it right down and use it is a washy, almost watercolor way. It`s nice to be able to merge those different textures and feelings in one artwork. I also love using ink in addition because the colours are so deep and intense. It`s very unforgiving but I love the effect it offers. I also like adding little spots of gold leaf because I think it can add a glimmer of light that can really wake a composition pop. I also like using it around the edge of the canvas (I use extra deep ones) because it can add a real high end edge and sense of elegance, especially to a very vibrant abstract. It gives an unexpected sophisticated twist and I like the juxtaposition. I often use sponges to paint, and spatulas as well as brushes and I usually paint different paintings in parallel because I only have so much time to paint. I find if I get too `deep into a painting I get kind of lost and I can`t see it objectively any more. So that helps to enable me to come out of one painting and work on another, then when I stop with that one I can see the first objectively again.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I think that that depends entirely on the artist. For some people it`s about being recognised or remembered, for some it`s about a sense of self worth, ego even. For others it is about self expression. For some (NFTs? AI Art perhaps) it`s all about the money. I think if we are idealistic about it we can aim, as artists, to bring some colour, happiness, joy, beauty, meaning to the world. We can try to be open thinkers who are able to communicate our ideals and ideas in a form that can be subvertive, that perhaps people are more willing to experience or listen to because the messaging isn`t immediately obvious. But I think to try to answer that question is almost as restrictive to ask what art is. The role of artists depends on the artist themselves. I mean Picasso wasn`t exactly an angel was he? But his role was pivotal to influencing art some would say. If I am to talk about what I would like to `do`as an artist, I think that it`s a genuine honour to be able to create something that someone actually wants to put in their home or the environment where they spend time. Our homes are our sanctuaries and for people to want to let my art into that space, is for me, such a privilege. I think the ability to be able to make people feel something, to be able to communicate energy, to energise or calm someone that`s such a pleasure. Someone once said to me that whenever she was sad or stressed she would go to my painting on her wall and it made her feel better. Who can ask for a better compliment than that? There`s something extremely satisfying about being able to be of service to people on a personal level whilst being able to do something that you selfishly love doing yourself in the process.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“The one I am most proud of is the exhibition at MEAM (European Museum of Modern Art) in Barcelona. That felt really amazing! But I would also single out winning second place in the Harmony of Art International Art Competition with Blue Blood Gallery because that led directly to me being represented by the gallery, at that time, in Prague. Another, which I was particularly happy about was winning the Public Choice Award in the AQUA exhibition with Biafarin because there were thousands of visitors and of all the artworks on display, the one that was voted for most was mine. That really meant a lot to me. I'm also really delighted that so far I made it into the Top Selection in the Milan stage of the Pitturi Amo Artist of Europe Award (ongoing). We're now in the Paris stage so it would be amazing to get through that phase too! I'm also looking forward, in the next few months to taking part in Artbox Project Basel 3.0 during Art Basel Week, as well as participating in SPRUNG8, with Arthouse NYC and later, Expo Metro, also in New York, with Circle Art Foundation so I'm keeping my fingers firmly crossed for the future. Exciting times!”
Website: www.galleriewhite.space
Instagram: @galleriewhitespace
