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"Man and humanity serve as a constant source of inspiration for me – as do the questions about where we come from and where we are going, about growth, becoming and passing away." Christel Andrea Steier

Interview


What inspired you to become an artist and when did you start taking art seriously?

My passion for art was certainly instilled in me from birth. In my "family of origin" there were and are many artistically gifted people and some have turned their talent into a career. They are trained actors, musicians and organ builders and my cousin's eldest son is a famous visual artist in Berlin with purchases and exhibitions in major museums. Others pursue their talent on a part-time basis. When the opportunity to study painting arose at the age of 25, I didn't hesitate for long and completed a distance learning course at the HAF Hamburg. For me as a young mother, this was ideal; I could easily cope with all the demands late in the evening and at night. Nowadays, everything is online - like working from home.

Which artists or art movements have most influenced your style and work?

There are many artists who continue to impress me: Caspar David Friedrich and William Turner, for example, or Van Gogh, Yves Klein, Olafur Eliasson, Stuart Ian Frost, and so on. Their thoughts and works stimulate my thinking and may somehow influence my work.


Could you walk us through the creative process you go through when creating a new piece?

There are usually many thoughts before starting a new work. Then I have to try to clarify things through reduction. Only then can I approach the material wood and try to find a clear formal language, which I then try to transfer into the wood. In the irreversible process of removing material, I approach the mental construct and the planned external form emerges.

Can you tell us something about the materials you work with?

I work with energy sources. I mainly use raw materials such as bronze, iron, aluminum and wood. I value the density and texture of these original materials. They are alive and carry energy.


Is there a particular theme or message you want to convey in your work?

My works differ in terms of material and technique, but they are linked by a common theme: it is people, the human element, that serves as a constant source of inspiration for me - or the all-encompassing questions that are about the whole, so to speak: about "where from and where to", about growth, development and decay. I analyse identities, maturation processes, states of mind, emotions, longings, look for the inside and outside, or simply ask myself what actually makes us human. Through careful observation, clarification and reduction, I try to find elementary signs and develop my own language of colours and forms. It happens that I want to convey messages, but never with a raised index finger. It is enough for me to inspire. Sometimes I also package messages very subtly with a good dose of humour. But it is always the viewer who decides how deeply he or she wants to engage with my thoughts.


What has been the biggest challenge on your artistic journey so far and how did you deal with it?

The biggest challenge on my artistic path is actually always the lack of an academic degree.

I remain consistent on my path and try to convince with good work even those for whom master student status is important.


Are there any techniques and materials that you prefer?

First I studied painting and I still work as a painter. In painting I prefer oil paints - in keeping with old painting tradition and against the current trend - because I love their brilliant colors and the long drying time suits my work very well. When working with wood I prefer hard woods like oak, maple or walnut. But ultimately I can handle anything and adapt to the material I am working with, which means that an idea sometimes has to wait to be implemented until I have the right wood for it.


Is there a particular place where you prefer to work?

Locations are unimportant to me. The atmosphere has to be right and there has to be positive energy.

Where do you see yourself and your art in the next five years?

Perseverance and perseverance and belief in my abilities have helped me to establish myself in the art market. In the meantime, I have a pleasingly large audience and I don't see myself as having reached my goal yet. I am pretty sure that the circle of interested people will continue to grow and I look forward to convincing and delighting people with my work.


Do you have a "philosophy" that guides your creative expression?

My philosophy is authenticity and the courage to develop. I can only convince people if I fully stand behind what I think, believe and live. And I want to constantly develop my work - never stand still. The world is changing and we are changing with it. I want to reflect on this and carefully adapt my work - not with the mainstream, but with the right attitude. In this sense, my credo is: Comprendre c`est sourir - understanding means smiling" (Thomas Mann)

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