Interview
Petra Penz
Throughout her life, Petra Penz has been immersed in the world of art, dedicating herself to the exploration and expression of her creative spirit. Painting since her earliest years, she recognized the transformative power of art and pursued her passion by studying product design at the esteemed Art Center College of Design. However, it was the call of unbounded creativity that constantly tugged at Petra's heart. Seeking an outlet to break free from practical constraints and immerse herself in pure artistic expression, she found solace in abstract painting. Here, she discovered the freedom to translate her unconscious musings into visual manifestations, where conventional boundaries dissolve, paving the way for an open-ended dialogue with viewers.
She studied with well-known abstract artists to cultivate her ability of abstraction since 2020. Through her abstract works, Petra aims to engage her audience in a dynamic interplay of emotions, ideas, and interpretations. Employing bold colors and expressive brushstrokes, she creates a visual language that instinctively touches viewers. Each painting becomes an abstract answer to the unspoken questions of the human experience, inviting observers to explore their own subconscious and engage with the artwork on a personal and introspective level. Driven by an insatiable curiosity and a deep desire to connect with others, Petra is committed to sharing her artistic journey and creating an immersive experience that transcends traditional boundaries. Through her abstract paintings, she aspires to ignite introspection within each viewer, encouraging them to embrace the power of the unknown and embark on their own voyage of self-discovery.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“From my earliest youth, I drew and painted whenever I had the chance. The creative engagement with my hands has been with me for as long as I can remember, and my family would often say that I was destined to become an artist. I attended art courses, life drawing classes, and anything that was offered. After completing my education, I made the decision to pursue a degree in Product Design at the esteemed Art Center College of Design. Painting has always been my outlet for creative expression, a balance to the functional creativity that primarily took place with pen on paper in my work. After many years in product and graphic design, it was the first lockdown in 2020 that brought me clarity: I needed more abstraction and freedom for my creativity to flow uninhibitedly. Despite years of training in concrete creativity, I embarked on the journey of learning abstraction during that time. I attended courses with renowned artists, studying the freedom of abstraction. Over the course of three years, I painted over 200 paintings, some of them in large formats on canvas. I started and have never stopped since then!”
What inspires you?
“I find my inspiration in the everyday and the questions that life present to me. Often, I immerse myself in a theme for weeks, seeking answers from my subconscious through painting. One example is the overarching theme of trust. How can I cultivate and maintain trust in life, in everything that exists? In 2022, I created the series "Morija," which explores the bright and dark, the obvious and hidden aspects of trust, open to each viewer's individual interpretation and personal answers.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“As I mentioned, it's the big questions that I have in my own life. It's about the daily challenges, the societal issues of the present, and the social interactions. My intention is not to lecture or dictate what is "right," but rather to inspire people to engage with the colors, forms, dynamics, and depths of the world of colors. I want them to explore what resonates with their own being to find their unique answers.”
“I find my inspiration in the everyday and the questions that life present to me.”
How would you describe your work?
“I would primarily describe my painting as free, as freedom is my highest value. I particularly love working on large formats where my whole body is engaged. I follow movements, create shapes and spaces, and combine colors and contrasts to form independent and dynamic compositions. While my work is rarely figurative or concrete, with prolonged observation, one can discern their own worlds to immerse in, if desired. The concrete reveals itself layer by layer.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I am inspired by the great masters of expressionism who pioneered the freedom in painting. The unprecedented liberties of expression, the abstraction, the reduction to the essential, and the creation of something new serve as a role model for me. I am particularly fascinated by the lesser-known women who have created art with their unique qualities: Gabriele Münter, Hilma af Klint, and Käthe Kollwitz. In modern art, I am captivated by Joan Mitchell, Lee Krasner, and of course, many magnificent male artists such as Cy Twombly, Franz Kline, and Mark Rothko. In general, I have a deep love for art and am also moved by contemporary artists, both male and female.”
What is your creative process like?
“When I paint, I select a few colors to begin and mix them on my palette. Then, I allow my unconscious to guide me as I move brushes across the canvas, observing what emerges from my inner moments. These initial layers flow freely without judgment. In subsequent stages, I continuously examine and evaluate compositions, shapes, and structures, consciously intervening where necessary. I paint from all directions on the canvas, eventually deciding on the strongest orientation. Ultimately, I strive for a balanced composition in expression, color, and contrast.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“For me, the role of the artist in society has two aspects. On one hand, we are here to make the things visible that have not been seen or couldn't be seen before. Furthermore, we can contribute to establishing new values and directions, reshaping the external world, and addressing and clarifying issues that are obvious but often remain unspoken. Of course, it also involves processing social issues and the dynamics of human interaction: war, peace, poverty, wealth, injustice, justice, and all the topics that appear in the daily news. I believe that each artist serves a unique aspect of the greater whole, sometimes more overtly, sometimes more subtly.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“In the summer of 2022, I had my first solo exhibition in my hometown in Germany, spanning an impressive 650 square meters. It was the first time I dared to make myself and my art—my other side of creativity—accessible to the public. The audience was captivated, and I immediately gained many fans. As a result, a gallery took notice of my work, and since then, I have had several exhibitions in Munich and even sold pieces worldwide. Excitingly, there are plans for several international exhibitions in the autumn of 2023, although I am not able to disclose the details at this time.”
