After graduating as a graphic designer, she worked as an illustrator. At this time, her drawing work was already guided by colours. In Berlin she expanded her artistic approach towards abstraction, creating colourful, textured and bold universes in her paintings. Her work explores this by means of colours, shapes and fragments of canvases that she collects from her previous works. Her painting work is a search for balance in a constant chaos. Each shape, line and colour on the canvas cannot live without the other. All the elements aim to be in harmony and in perpetual renewal in spite of the prevailing disorder.

ArtConnect asked the winning artists to share with us a glimpse into their creative life to get a sense of their personal inspiration and artistic process.

How did you get started as an artist?

After graduating in graphic design 10 years ago, I decided to work as an independent illustrator in Toulouse. I moved to Berlin 5 years ago, and it was here that I took the time to connect to myself more deeply, expanding my creativity into the direction of abstraction. I found in this process great freedom of creation. Nonetheless, drawing remains my first love and I continue to enjoy, from time to time, making color and drawing meet again.

What are some of the central themes you pursue in your work?

Harmony in chaos - Renewal - Balance - Life path and experiences - Link between people and nature - Perspectives - Instantaneity and reflection - Roots - Transmission - Positive circular energy.

Describe a typical day in the studio / wherever you make your work.

My studio is in my flat, so I tend to be quite organized. I always write down in advance what I have to do in the week. Then I adjust my schedule according to deadlines, emails to answer, meetings, and also my inspiration. I would say a typical day consists of working on my computer in the morning or evening (photo editing, IG, emails, invoices), and the rest of the time painting and drawing, preparing my canvases, working on future projects and collaborations.

What motivates you to make your art?

What motivates me to make art is to share my perspective/vision of life. But also the urge to see a more inclusive selection of artists in big art institutions. As a mixed-race woman artist who grew up in Europe, I think the question of belonging is relevant. I chose to be my true self with my own story, but I also had to become more aware of how people perceive me, moving from one society to another. Art is a way among other things of not letting this fact take control of my own identity. Art offers different perspectives on life and can help me to have a positive impact in this world.

What are you currently working on? / What’s coming up next for you?

I am still working on my series of painting about harmony and renewal which is naturally bringing myself the to work about the notion of transmission. I want to develop this project in Senegal through a residency. But before, I want to realize an exhibition in Berlin. It’s really important to me to be able to show my work here because Berlin really marks a turning point in my art. Two months ago, I started organizing an exclusive monthly sale of smaller artworks on IG, in order to make my art more accessible. The aim is also that a part of the money I get can in turn support another artist in Berlin. This allows me to meet other creatives and to support each other!

Anything else you want to add?

Representation matters!

See more of Elke Foltz’s work

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