Desert Drive, Ulrike Zöllner
Waterworlds of Abstraction
Ulrike Zöllner
Uli Zöllner is an abstract painter from Germany with an MFA from University of the Arts in Berlin. The "Waterworlds of Abstraction” series, is an homage to water and a reminder to protect it. I painted these works after moving here in 2021, when the city was on lockdown.
In this time, walks by the water, exploring greater Vancouver’s nature and mountain surroundings provided an introduction to the place I now live. In British Columbia, the climate is very wet. Intensity of floods and everyday rainstorms can stop social plans (rain checks). It can alienate humans from one another but the flora and fauna benefits and blooms. That’s why nature looks so incredibly breathtaking here. On the other hand, we are made from at least 70% water, which connects us with the energy of water. My abstract forms invite viewers to sink into feelings of curious chaos in fluidity as I illustrate a feeling that cannot be represented objectively. Heavy body acrylic paintings create color gradients and multi-dimensionality which examines the tension between line and surface. Just like water always finds its way by examining the cracks in a bucket for example, the wild brush strokes are capturing the liquid energy of water and the gradients are holding space for the body of water. The water body itself is so undefined and fluid that as soon as it is not held by an object like a cup we can’t even grasp it.
In this time, walks by the water, exploring greater Vancouver’s nature and mountain surroundings provided an introduction to the place I now live. In British Columbia, the climate is very wet. Intensity of floods and everyday rainstorms can stop social plans (rain checks). It can alienate humans from one another but the flora and fauna benefits and blooms. That’s why nature looks so incredibly breathtaking here. On the other hand, we are made from at least 70% water, which connects us with the energy of water. My abstract forms invite viewers to sink into feelings of curious chaos in fluidity as I illustrate a feeling that cannot be represented objectively. Heavy body acrylic paintings create color gradients and multi-dimensionality which examines the tension between line and surface. Just like water always finds its way by examining the cracks in a bucket for example, the wild brush strokes are capturing the liquid energy of water and the gradients are holding space for the body of water. The water body itself is so undefined and fluid that as soon as it is not held by an object like a cup we can’t even grasp it.
Edges, Megs Gatus
Leaves in Space
Megs Gatus
May 4 - 27, 2022
Creativity, I believe, is what we define within ourselves. I transform images in my imagination without being bound by rules. By viewing things differently transcending beyond their original form and purpose, I strive to make a meaningful connection with my viewers as they gaze upon my reimagined pieces. Ultimately, I hope that connection can bring a sense of joy to their present moment. My camera acts like my paintbrush and I use my lens to capture colours, lights and space to make artistic and creative images.
My creative images are done by using intentional camera movement combined with multi-exposure techniques. My work is characterized by its organic colors and calming painterly style. I explore different hand camera movements to achieve the desired lines, shapes, and patterns in each abstract piece. Armed with my camera, I feel boundless in my creative spirit. For me, a blurry photograph flows a raw artistic expression. In this exhibition, I am presenting my collections which I called “Leaves in Space” After many months of isolation due to COVID-19 and the imposed restrictions, the atmosphere became quite mellow. Our surroundings were suddenly filled with uncertainty, leaving us no choice but to accept what was given. But optimism and hope gave us strength to carry on with our new mandates in life. Light then started to shine through, gradually we were returning to our usual places, and my love for creating art with a zestful desire renewed my senses once again!
A collection of photos capturing the organic colours of nature is a reimagined abstract series, which I call "Leaves in Space." Despite the absence of their original form, the natural colors of the leaves remain. Jackson Pollock said "I have no fear of making changes, destroying the image because the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through."
My creative images are done by using intentional camera movement combined with multi-exposure techniques. My work is characterized by its organic colors and calming painterly style. I explore different hand camera movements to achieve the desired lines, shapes, and patterns in each abstract piece. Armed with my camera, I feel boundless in my creative spirit. For me, a blurry photograph flows a raw artistic expression. In this exhibition, I am presenting my collections which I called “Leaves in Space” After many months of isolation due to COVID-19 and the imposed restrictions, the atmosphere became quite mellow. Our surroundings were suddenly filled with uncertainty, leaving us no choice but to accept what was given. But optimism and hope gave us strength to carry on with our new mandates in life. Light then started to shine through, gradually we were returning to our usual places, and my love for creating art with a zestful desire renewed my senses once again!
A collection of photos capturing the organic colours of nature is a reimagined abstract series, which I call "Leaves in Space." Despite the absence of their original form, the natural colors of the leaves remain. Jackson Pollock said "I have no fear of making changes, destroying the image because the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through."
