Interview: Birgit Günther
Luca Curci talks with Birgit Günther during OUT OF BALANCE, second appointment of CANVAS Art Fair 2020, at THE LINE Contemporary Art Space in London.

I studied interior design with painting at Prof. Manfred Hollmann at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich. I was born 1962 in Ludwigsburg, Germany, and I have been living and working in Munich for over 35 years. I find inspiration for my painting in nature and through people which I interpret in different ways. Colors, color compositions, color sensations and spatial effects are important of my work, which should reflect the joy of life. A certain motif is not always easily recognizable in the abstract paintings. The viewers are invited to feel lightness, openness or tensions and to let their emotions run free. I am a member of a professional group of female painters. We meet annually and discuss new techniques with lecturers and develop and improve our painting skills.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Birgit Günther – For me, art is the expression of feelings, desires, freedom and passion. It enables the processing of personal and political issues. In my painting I can express all of my joy for life.

LC – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
BG – I’ve been painting since my earliest childhood and I’ve always felt a limitless freedom in my creativity. During my interior design studies, my interests increasingly shifted to space, color compositions, color sensations, designs and proportions. I can incorporate these themes very well into my painting. On many trips I’m always inspired by nature and people. I go through the world with open eyes and let myself be captured. Every day fills me with joy that I want to share. The colors of nature and the differences between people are a great challenge. Current topics are also considered and processed. I want to capture what I have experienced – in abstract or realistic paintings. Visiting exhibitions and museums is always an experience and an inspiration.

LC – What is your creative process like?
BG – In my painting I want to experiment, create tensions and overlays. Different techniques, layers and materials are used to implement my ideas about the work. Again and again I look at my pictures from a distance and turn them upside down. I can evaluate specific motifs better in order to be able to judge colored areas and the composition independently of the motif. My head becomes free of the motif. I check the color composition and positioning on the sheet of Paper or the canvas. My gut feeling tells me whether a painting is finished. If I feel happy, the picture is finished.

LC – How is being an artist nowadays?
BG – Being an artist nowadays is a challenge. Due to the many technical possibilities, the painting process is often not a dealing with yourself, and finding one’s own painting style is not done consciously. Current topics such as Corona enables us to focus our perspective on ourselves again and to make a change.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
BG – My work has become freer over time. I was able to let go of a lot from the past and process it in my art. The feeling that everything is possible is evident. My world has become colorful and diverse. The trust in my abilities and my prowess shows more and more in my paintings. The line is no longer exact but more playful and lighter, but still energetic. I allow myself to be guided more by my inner intuition than by learned external influences. However, the learning process was necessary to advance in my development. And I hope it will last a long time – I stay curious.

LC – What is the message linked to the artwork you have shown in this exhibition? How is it connected to the theme of the entire festival?
BG – The works of art shown here deal with people, social connections and their behavior. At the moment it is important to stay in contact, to take walks together (“The walk”) and, if possible, to meet. But there is also a farewell to the past, to the present and perhaps also to things that are planned for the future (“farewell”). It hits everyone, so the faces are not recognizable. We immerse ourselves in a new, unknown, perhaps also frightening world (“diving”), which, however, allows for many discoveries.

LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the festival?
BG – An exhibition that deals with the present, which is going through a great noticeable change and points to a new orientation of the world, looks into a new future and takes everyone with it who feels it. A successful concept and a future-oriented vision.

LC – What are your suggestions about our services? Is there something more we can provide to artists?
BG – The support of the artists by the ITSLIQUID GROUP is informative and has a high priority. The artist is invited to be part of the group and the exhibition. He is understood. One suggestion could be to get some photos of the exhibition for free for the artists who cannot come. The platform is very interesting.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
BG – I am convinced that the ITSLIQUID GROUP is and will be an opportunity for many artists in the future.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
BG – It is a great pleasure to work with you.