julia emslander

In her works Julia Emslander examines painting material, light and surface structures. In monochrome abstract representation, her works convey a sensual feeling for themes of urban life. Her paintings seem like close-ups and fine observations. The elements used are set in a typographic order. Various materials such as charcoal, graphite, coloured pencils, acrylic and oil paint, varnish, metallic pigments and scotch tape are applied monochrome to the canvas in a dark grey colour palette. Fine irregularities are visible on the surface. Thus the impression of a uniform formal language is microscopically balanced out. Thus movement is added. Through a process of applying, grinding, scratching and superimposing thin layers of paint, a pictorial space consisting of surfaces and lines with non-perspective depth is gradually built up. The use of different surface and material properties opens up a playful experience of changing light conditions between reflection and absorption. During the constant development of a contemporary pictorial language, against the background of the history of painting, the classical panel painting is questioned and its limits explored. Colour, surface, gesture and painting material appear as independent actors on the canvas. There, surface, painterly gesture (or its absence), the body of the viewer as well as the work and content are in constant interplay.

Ceran 01, 2019, 90 x 70 cm, oil, acryl and pencil on canvas

Ceran 02, 2019, 30 x 40 cm, oil, acryl and pencil on canvas