Which motifs are particularly important in your work? 

Rather than specific motifs, what matters most to me is exploring the medium of painting itself – how can something be depicted using simple means? What doesn’t need to be told; where does less detail bring out more emotion? 

The places you paint – do they really exist?

 When I see other artists’ work, I become increasingly convinced that we all express our longings through images. In my case, these are places of retreat, where tranquillity reigns and there is plenty of space. I draw on a whole archive of images from interior design and décor catalogues, magazines and social media. From these, I construct spaces on the canvas that do not exist in reality. When layering and combining these elements, I often introduce an unfamiliar, disruptive element that throws the perfect surface off balance. In doing so, I allude to a standardised notion of contemporary interior design that is shattered in everyday life. The figures are also fictional, though inspired by existing images. Lately, I have mainly been painting men – this is partly due to the over-representation of women’s bodies in art and the media, and partly because I imagine lonely men inhabiting the luxurious spaces in my paintings. I am fascinated by the idea of portraying them as delicate and vulnerable – this immediately creates a connection with the viewer. 

Architecture and nature are often intertwined in your work – where does that come from? 

Both speak to deep longings: the desire for protection and security, as well as the desire for space and freedom. Moreover, since the pandemic at the very latest, a well-furnished house with a garden has become one of the greatest longings of the younger generations, a dream that, given the current precarious state of the housing market, seems increasingly out of reach. I paint these dreams and make them accessible to everyone in the imagination; but I also question them. 

What themes are you currently exploring? 

Architecture, nature, the domestic sphere – which is, of course, always political as well. Feminism, class issues, the divide between rural and urban spaces. And, as a source of comfort, stories that are hinted at time and again, stories that connect us. 

How did you get involved with the Student Art Market, and what has your experience been like?

 Erich got in touch with me (thank goodness!) last year, and I’m really glad to be part of it! Seeing that I can suddenly sell a lot through the SKM is a vital affirmation of the long journey I’ve embarked on as an artist – a journey that’s often fraught with doubt. Making a living from art now seems feasible – there’s tremendous potential in that realisation! 

Have you had any particular experiences with a customer? 

Some customers buy from me repeatedly, which of course makes me happy. Some have been following me on Instagram since their first purchase; and on one occasion, the buyer of a very lovely small-format piece sent me a photo of where the picture was hanging in their flat. We then had a very warm exchange. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

 Never stop surrounding yourself with beautiful things – good films, books, music, design and art! 

Many thanks to Johanna Failer for this lovely interview. You can find all her work HERE.