Interview
Simone von Anhalt
Simone von Anhalt was born in Munich, Germany but emigrated as a young girl to Brazil. During the several years she lived there, she was markedly affected by local culture. The people’s soul and love for nature remains with her today.
Now living once again in Munich with her family, Von Anhalt’s work is distinctly inspired by her childhood in Brazil, in addition to her various travels and the works of her father, revolutionary German painter Jürgen Prinz von Anhalt. Her father was the inventor of Jet Art–a form of painting that involves using the air stream of a jet engine.
Von Anhalt’s works talk silently, touching others with their expressive color and size. Von Anhalt’s canvases often focus on gradations of a single color, harmonizing them with languid forms and brushstrokes such that each canvas captures the soulful spirit of the Brazil she cherishes so deeply.
Von Anhalt is not limited by the formal dimensions of artmaking, and chooses instead to capture the feelings of time and momentariness. Her paintings connect the viewer with their inner being, unfolding reflective and personal emotions within us.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My father was an artist and so was my aunt, so I grew up surrounded by creativity. Through family circumstances, I lived in Rio, Brazil during my teenage years, and this really influenced my life. Growing up with a Brazilian family taught me more than just the language. I was able to really get in touch with their culture and experience how deep the spirit of this country is, especially through nature and the soulful people.
I’ve learned that there exists more than we can see with our eyes. I didn’t know then what a huge impact it would make on how I express myself in my paintings today. I’ve always loved to express my feelings through creativity, translate emotions and make them visible, reaching out to people’s hearts. I mostly express myself through color, the healing aspect of emotions, something that happens unconsciously.
My Journey in the artworld was a slow process. It was more like an unfolding, an awakening due the circumstances of my life. My father made me think wide, and was the perfect inspiration for me. His message was ‘everything is possible, no limits no frames’. Through managing and organizing many events for my father, I was able to develop my creativity. I started with regular canvas sizes but soon figured out that my feelings needed more space for them to be expressed. So that’s why my canvases are usually big in size.
I would describe my art journey as a life journey, unfolding through life circumstances bringing and expressing emotions. I’m an autodidact, with a great heritage of creativity in my genes. Today, I live in Munich with my family. I’m very grateful for them as they all share and join me on my unique art journey.”
What inspires you?
“Traveling, nature, especially the ocean, and waterfalls. Meditation, soulful dialogue, writing, languages, art exhibitions, street life, interior design are all things that also inspire me,”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Life is a miracle and every moment is an original. Let’s be grateful for each moment. Be your own creator of your life, be authentic, trust the flow of life, and make things happen.”
“Art is the best key to people’s hearts as it’s able to enter in dialogue with the soul.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is spontaneous, intuitive, colorful, and expressive. It reaches out to the depth in us through color, canvas size and color gradient.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Gerhard Richter, Claude Monet, Georgia o’Keeffe, Clyfford Still, Joaquin Sorolla Bastida, and Henry Matisse are the artist that have influenced me the most.”
What is your creative process like?
“I prefer to work in utter solitude, getting myself connected with my inner source. I neglect the outside forces and channel my own inner self onto the canvas. My studio acts as my refuge and as a result, my paintings allow the viewer to take refuge in the way they capture peace and encourage subjective emotion. I love being by myself in my studio. My refuge. I intuitively choose the colors I want to paint with, and roll out the canvas.
Starting without planning, no results are expected. Go with the flow, letting the process of color gradient, sponges, brushes and pallet knives, whatever feels right in the moment, come together as one to create my lush canvases.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist has the capability to express and touch without words. It’s very important for society’s balance to get in touch with other people’s hearts. Art is able to slow down the daily tempo, which nowadays is even more important for the human being’s health. Bringing joy and ease into the environment.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“All my exhibitions are noteworthy for me, because they made my art journey complete. But my personal dream was always to exhibit in New York. So I introduced myself to the Art Expo New York, and from there, I was invited to exhibit at the Agora Gallery in Chelsea New York, The Saturated Palette. This was my personal achievement and successfully fulfilled my dreams. You can see all my exhibitions on my Instagram page.
I’ve also organized benefit events around the world with my art.”
Website: www.simone-von-anhalt.com
Instagram: @simone.vonanhalt
