OLIVIA BERCKEMEYER
Antoinette von Saurma
Munich, Germany
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Munich, Germany
Published 26/05/2017 | Updated 09/03/2023
I search for this dream amidst catastrophic upheavals in Nature and man.
Just as a sightless person uses his hands to navigate so I use nib and ink to organise information. Japanese papers, their transparency and finely pored translucency belying their inherent strength, are the primary inspiration and base for the initial "search" drawings. In devastated landscapes I seek and usually find a hair-raising beauty that...
I search for this dream amidst catastrophic upheavals in Nature and man.
Just as a sightless person uses his hands to navigate so I use nib and ink to organise information. Japanese papers, their transparency and finely pored translucency belying their inherent strength, are the primary inspiration and base for the initial "search" drawings. In devastated landscapes I seek and usually find a hair-raising beauty that asks to be revealed. The meditative stoke upon stoke of nib and ink, brush and paper, paint on glass bring an inner order. The noise and inner turmoil of contortions in the natural world and her strife-ridden children is quieted.
A childhood and youth during a difficult political period in Africa, years searching for "culture" in Europe, exposure to the colour of Mexico, all are formative influences in the search for an x ray of what makes me who I am.
It began as an "agreeable distraction" and leads me further and further towards incisive dissection.
My second diploma culminated as master student of Jorinde Voigt in Munich.
What is it about your studio space that inspires you?
The silence....and the smell of the tools.
What sounds, scents and sights do you encounter while in your studio?
The sound of a nib in conversation with the paper, reflections and shadows from outside
What is your favourite material to work with? How has your use of it evolved throughout your practice?
Anything that will make a mark....now that I have got over using "appropriate" tools
What themes do you pursue?
The sad signs of our " uncivilization"
What advice has had the biggest impact on your career?
Jorinde Voigt's question, " where are you here ? "
If you could install your art absolutely anywhere, where would that be?
A floor to ceiling, wall to wall paper installation in Grand Central station
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
A landsape by Vermeer
If you weren´t an artist, what would you be doing?
Reading
What are your favourite places besides your studio?
My chair on an african terrace
2017
"Mapping Trauma" Moscow Museum of Modern Art , Moscow.
2016
"Sehen und Sein" Thomas Punzmann Contemporary, Frankfurt am Main
" Antoinette von Saurma", CAS LMU, Munich
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2023
"Maske -das künstliche Gesicht?" Koenig Museum, Landshut.
2022
"Jahresgaben" Kunstverein München.
2019
"Paare" Galerie Carol Johnson, Munich
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"Zu Antoinette von Saurma." Prof.Dr. Barbara Vinken, CAS 2017
"Die stille Wucht. Antoinette von Saurma als Zeichnerin. " Iris Nocker. ISBN 978-3-86328-128-1
"Antoinette von Saurma" Erika Wäcker Babnik, Münchner Feuilleton, 2017
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2018 TaoHuaTan Residency, China
2012, Celeste 1 preis für Malerei
1980 Johannesburg School of fine art and design
2016 Diploma , master class Jorinde Voigt, Akademie der bildenden Künste, Munich