Interview
Ilja Freer
Ilja Freer, a self-taught painter, has woven the tapestry of his life into a captivating collection of abstract acrylic paintings. Ilja and his friends embarked on a mission to breathe life into the previously grey city facades, infusing them with vibrant colours. They were budding graffiti artists, transforming the city into a welcoming canvas for those seeking change. Freer’s art has graced exhibitions in prominent cities such as Berlin, Munich, Madrid, Milan and the Art Fair in Innsbruck. His paintings have found homes on the walls of collectors and art enthusiasts across Europe and the United States. As an artist, Freer embodies a profound sense of urgency and energy, which guides him through his work. He oscillates between the comfort of routine and the thrill of curiosity and experimentation. His artistic mission revolves around taking the interplay of composition and colour to new heights, exploring fresh perspectives with each canvas.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born in the vibrant city of Berlin in 1976, my passion for painting and drawing started early and that set me on a journey of self-discovery and expression. The 1990s played a pivotal role in my artistic evolution. As a teenager, I bore witness to the fall of the Berlin Wall, an event that left an indelible mark on his creative spirit. In the wake of this monumental event, Berlin itself seemed to undergo an overnight metamorphosis. In 2019, I took a bold step and traded my spray cans for spatulas and brushes. This marked a period of prolific experimentation with colour and technique. I reveled in exploring reality’s deviations by pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.”
What inspires you?
“The vibe of Berlin. All the different people and the creative interaction. Every day, the city reinvents itself in a different place. New things, but also old things, keep coming up in a new guise. What happens in the world outside of Berlin also inspires me, such as music. I like almost everything and have learned that every style has something beautiful in it. I'm a big fan of art where you can always discover something new. And you don't recognize at first glance what it's actually about.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“In a world that is full of energy, I would like to invite the viewer to focus on the positive energy and use it for themselves. I currently perceive the world from different positions - unfortunately I also see a lot of negative things and feel this energy, where things are simply "destroyed" or no longer needed. I want to create positive energy and moments with my pictures. I embody unbridled determination and depict this unfiltered in my pictures. The flow of powerful positive energy in my work inspires you to become aware of your own strength and to engage in the exhilaration of vibrancy. To awaken the feeling that everything is possible. What do you do with so much energy? In a world that is constantly turning and changing, people long to close their eyes for a moment and dream of what was, of the moment when everything changes or of the future. My art is guided by the free development of emotions and celebrates the many facets of life. In my pictures, this diversity is united in an invigorating harmony. By visualizing harmonious vibrations, I want to bring my art to life and tell the viewer "Enjoy every moment and the moment in which everything seems possible."”
“In a world that is full of energy, I would like to invite the viewer to focus on the positive energy and use it for themselves.”
How would you describe your work?
“As an artist, I embody a profound sense of urgency and energy, which guides me through my work. I oscillate between the comfort of routine and the thrill of curiosity and experimentation. My artistic mission revolves around taking the interplay of composition and colour to new heights, exploring fresh perspectives with each canvas. My work is an exploration of the material presence of colour, its expressiveness and spatial impact. My paintings come to life through the juxtaposition, superimposition and removal of colour and coloured surfaces. Each colour interacts with its neighbours, forging harmonious or discordant relationships, ultimately contributing to the symphony of the whole composition. The finished works often transcend mere abstraction, taking on the forms of objects, landscapes, flowers, animals and even people. Through the delicate dance of colour, light and form, I conjure space, movement and rhythm within my creations. Crucially, I avoid being bound by the rigid constraints of colour theory, allowing myself to remain open to spontaneity. Through this, errors that might appear to disrupt the image have developed into fresh ideas and novel compositions. I know I cannot reinvent abstraction. However, I embrace the notion that I can offer a unique perspective through my work. In essence, my journey is a testament to the power of self-expression, the transformative influence of life experiences and the boundless possibilities of artistic exploration.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol and Picasso. I like artists who don't always just follow one style, but who constantly reinvent themselves and thus also change their vision and a lot of new young artist.”
What is your creative process like?
“It´s a journey for me to try out new things.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“The history of mankind is characterized by discoveries, progress and developments for the better. We owe our present to the courageous and curious inventors and discoverers in history. Now it is up to us to create the future with curiosity and courage and to break new ground. My paintings are intended to visually encourage and stimulate the viewer to engage with something new. The unusual perspectives and painting techniques convey an intense, energetic attitude to life. They encourage people to live intensely and to try things out; detached from the social norm.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“My recent exhibitions in 2023 include: Berlin Artweek September at Pullmanns Hotel, Group exhibition Pop-Up Vernissage, “Art meets Real Estate” with Engel & Völkers Berlin, Prenzlauer Berg; Solo Exhibition “EINblick” at KU 64, Berlin; KU 64 Solo Exhibition, Berlin; The Holy Art Gallery, London; The Factory Shacklewell Ln, London, E8 2DA; among others.”
