by Erich
Status: 10.17.2024
Our Artist of the Month is Johanna Hodler; we’ve taken a closer look at her and asked her a few questions. We hope you enjoy delving into Johanna’s world.
Where and what are you studying??
As I love practising art just as much as I do art education, and consider both equally important, I have decided to study art with a view to becoming a teacher at the University of Cologne.
What themes feature in your work?
I mainly focus on faces, expressions and emotions. In one of my series of works, I explore everyday thoughts that are familiar to each and every one of us. Expressive faces illustrate our daily needs, tasks, hurdles and the constant confrontation with ourselves, along with the feelings and emotions associated with them. At the moment, I’m also noticing that my horizons are broadening somewhat, and that other objects are catching my attention alongside the faces. Right now, I find old vending machines and appliances, in connection with people or nature, particularly fascinating.
What materials and techniques do you prefer to work with?
I create all my works using the one-line technique, which means I don’t lift the pen from the paper and everything is created from a single line. I then build on these lines using acrylics, ink, modelling paste, coloured pencils and other materials.
Eunjeong Kim / Artist of the Month for January 2024 at the Student Art Market
Do you paint from reference images?
Sometimes I capture moments photographically and then try to transfer them onto canvas using my technique.
In most cases, however, I paint from memory and without a reference.
Which artists inspire you most
of all?
Actually, it’s the people in my creative circle who inspire me most, as I often get a glimpse of the creative processes and thoughts that go into their individual works. But I also find Roni Horn’s photographic exploration of water very fascinating. I also find Wolfgang Tillmans’ sensitive approach to photography utterly impressive. Arnulf Rainer’s ‘Face Farces’ and the dynamic combination of photographic self-portraiture and painting were a constant source of inspiration for me throughout my studies. I’ve also been particularly inspired by the faces and works of Christiane Spangsberg.
Where do you find your inspiration?
In everyday life, in conversations, when chatting with friends, whilst eating, in supermarkets, in people’s reactions, in my thoughts, whilst travelling, in music, in the studio, on the street, in museums, in my emotions, in films, in nature. Where do you paint? At ‘Getriebe147’, a beautiful studio in Cologne. I’ve been there for almost four years now and couldn’t imagine a better place to get creative. Depending on the weather, I paint indoors or in our little garden in the courtyard, where little squirrels often scamper about and hide their nuts. There are 12 of us artists there, and we share our creative processes with one another.
What do you get up to outside of your studies?
I’m currently spending half a year in Valencia, Spain, to learn the language, write my Master’s thesis in art and find inspiration here. I generally love travelling and, every now and then, I stay in places for longer so that I can really take them in and get a feel for the place. I enjoy observing everyday life, I like both urban and natural soundscapes, and I find it fascinating to see how different, yet similar, people really are. I also enjoy going to yoga, love dogs, really enjoy cooking, and try my best to keep my houseplants alive.
Have you had any special experiences with a customer?
Yes, quite a few. I really enjoy delivering my work in person, provided the distance allows it. This has led to lots of lovely chats over a coffee.
Is there anything else you’d like to share or tell us?
I’d like to thank my mum. She introduced me to art from a very young age, painting, crafting, building, gluing and collecting with me; she supported me through disappointments, showed me ways to find solutions and had a profound influence on me through her love of creativity. Creative work in any form provides such an important outlet, fostering self-efficacy and the ability to find solutions and take action. I very much hope that one day I’ll be able to pass this on to my pupils in the same way my mum did. Thank you, Mum!
Eunjeong Kim / Artist of the Month for January 2024 at the Student Art Market
Frequently Asked Questions
Studierenden Kunstmarkt is the leading platform for student art in the German-speaking world. It enables art enthusiasts and art lovers to buy artworks directly from art students, thereby providing them with financial support whilst they are studying.
Studierenden Kunstmarkt was founded in 2020 by Erich Reich and his brother. Erich is still the managing director of Studierenden Kunstmarkt and, together with his team, has succeeded in creating a platform that brings together art lovers, those interested in art and art students. To this day, Studierenden Kunstmarkt is entirely self-funded and has not received any external funding from investors.
At any given time, there are several hundred art students and several thousand works of art on the Student Art Market. A good place to start if you’re looking for an initial overview of the artists is the ‘Artists of the Month’ section.
Just like normal galleries, Studierenden Kunstmarkt receives a commission on each artwork sold. This funds the running of the platform, its maintenance and the salaries of Studierenden Kunstmarkt’s staff. In addition, we support the students, are on hand to advise on any queries, and run free advertising for them on Instagram, Facebook, Google and in our email newsletter, which has several thousand art lovers as subscribers.
There are many ways you can start investing in young artists on the student art market. One option is to sign up for our free email course, ‘Become an Art Expert in 7 Days’. In it, we’ll share a few basics with you, as well as some of our insider tips on which artists have particular potential. Find out more
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