Marion Fink

"Unerschrocken zeigte sie Bitteres in Süßes gehüllt."

("Fearlessly she showed bitterness wrapped in sweetness.")

Through scenarios and stage-like settings, including figures, objects and words, the work of Marion Fink gives shape to her philosophical considerations, exploring and presenting an always questionable relationship to (her own) reality. Based on her experiences she takes a look at herself and the conditions of her surroundings, society and the earth, seeking to grasp both perspectives in her paintings.

Even though the motives seem to take on a clear position they are likely to cause poetic irritation and uncertainty, especially in combination with the titles. This impression is reinforced by the special printing technique the artist is using, which lets the paper on which the oil color is applied shine through, seemingly ghost-like at times.

Painting on a glass plate and using her body to press the paint on the high-quality paper, the Monotype resulting out of this demanding process is truly unique. To complete the often large-scale prints many small steps of painting and printing are needed, puzzling together the whole picture in a collage-like way, just as the motives themselves where once composed.

Having her studio in an old villa right next to Park Sanssouci in Potsdam she usually starts her day with a bike ride through the baroque garden of Frederick the Great, intrigued by the architecture, the nature and the vast sky. An impression which definitely influenced her most recent body of work, which circles around the motive of the window and the sky.

Using several rooms in the villa she is running up and down through the house, having a studio for sketching, drawing and writing, another for painting and printing and a third for drying, presenting and storing her large works on paper.

What is it about your studio space that inspires you?

Being located right next to Park Sanssouci my studio is surrounded by beautiful nature and architecture, which inspires me every day. I also love to share the villa with other artists and creatives working with a variety of mediums. Exchanging knowledge, helping each other, talking about life and cooking lunch together everyday is a great enrichment for me and my work.

What sounds, scents and sights do you encounter while in your studio?

Right now there is probably the sound of someone playing an instrument in the basement, the scent of someone cooking in the kitchen and the view of the trees moving in front of the windows.

What is your favourite material to work with? How has your use of it evolved throughout your practice?

Oil color. Over several years I used to paint traditionally with oil on canvas, since 2016 though I started to evolve my own approach regarding the single-print-technique called Monotype. Working on paper fits me way more then the classical canvas and I love how the pencil strokes are sharp, flat, light and mat and totally unchangeable after once printed on the paper using a glass plate. And I don't even want to get started talking about the joy of painting on a completely smooth and non absorbing surface…

What themes do you pursue?

I like to think of my work as a philosophical conversation about identity and existence between me and the world using pictures and sometimes text fragments as well as titles.

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