Judith Lena Bartels (DE)
Text written by GHA
In her figurative etchings, German artist Judith Lena Bartels skilfully explores the line between playfulness and gloom.
Her prints transport the viewer into a fantastical world in which everyday scenes are reinterpreted with a surreal twist. While the vibrant mix of pastel and bold colours draws the eye, the figures and spaces she depicts often show unsettling, distorted expressions that invite deeper reflection on our domestic and social surroundings. Her colourful etchings depict narratives that at first glance appear whimsical and childlike, reminiscent of illustrations from a children’s book. However, when one delves deeper, these works reveal profound commentaries on the dark complexities of domestic life and social issues.
Bartels’ use of exaggerated proportions and uncanny expressions in both the human and animal figures adds an ambivalence to these narratives, offering a more nuanced perspective that contrasts strikingly with their seemingly playful atmosphere. Viewing Bartels’ prints evolves from a captivating visual encounter to a thought-provoking exploration of emotional and psychological scenarios. Each work encourages the viewer to reflect on the deeper meanings of the subjects covered, leaving them with a sharpened awareness of both the whimsical and darker aspects of the human condition.
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Katze auf drei Beinen Straßenplausch
