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

I was born on 01.02.1952 in Eschwege, Germany. After finishing high school, I studied German, Art History and Art Pedagogy at the universities of Göttingen and Gießen. I taught art projects in a museum in Nuremberg and for the next 16 years German and Art in a middle school. For three years I have retired and opened an art studio and gallery in Zirndorf, Germany, near Nuremberg.

Luca Curci – What is art for?
Regina Kehrer – For me, art is an important part of my life. In the process of creating a new image I often enjoy myself and acquire a new way of looking at the world. I can express my point of view, my thoughts and my feelings. I can get into a flow, which means being focused and relaxed at the same time. After it, I often feel that I have lost energy but also that I am satisfied.Art can give the observer fun and joy, it can show the world from another point of view, it can open doors and let us find new ways to get out of problems; but it can show us problems we haven’t seen before. This is the beginning of finding new ways.

LC – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
RK – At the beginning of school I was always happy to paint and draw. I studied Art History and Art Pedagogy and I concluded with a university exam. For two years I created several history projects for the pupils of a museum in Nuremberg, and for 16 years I taught the subject art in a modern middle school. In addition to my work as an art teacher, I have often practiced art in different workshops in Europe. There I came into contact with a group that inspired me to paint and draw what I felt instead of what I saw. Since that moment I have emphasized more the reflection of the inner world of people, roads, landscapes and less their external appearance.

LC – What is your creative process like?
RK – I draw inspiration from observing people, objects and landscapes. So I make sketches and watercolors or draw with pencils, with my left hand and right hand at the same time. Another way is to use text and newspaper photos as inspiration for painting and drawing. The third way starts with some lines and colors, subsequently, I wonder if they remind me of something, and what I find I accentuate and correct it until I feel a stage of harmony.

LC – How is being an artist nowadays?
RK – I think being an artist is challenging. The artist must find his own style and contact with galleries and collectors. The use of the Internet will give the opportunity to display and sell the artwork. Today it is not enough to create excellent works of art, but also to know how to use the Internet perfectly. In addition to this, it is good to speak and write English correctly.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
RK – First I made sketches and watercolors, which were very accurate and had to show reality with its lines and colors. Then I translated what I saw in my artistic discourse with shapes and colors. At first I used watercolor, pencils and charcoal.Then I continued with the tests on acrylic, soft pastel and oil pastel. The last stage was the creation of photos with the theme of light and shadow.

LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the festival?
RK – Art is a fluid matter, a form between solid and gas. I agree, because the idea of art is more gas and to make it visible the artist needs solid materials such as paint, plaster, coal, paper, canvas, stones, glass. Art has the ability to change. The theme of the festival is interesting to me. Everyone has situations in their life where feelings and emotions are OUT OF BALANCE, then it is necessary to change their meanings and reality to find new solid ground underfoot to stand on.

LC – What is the message linked to the artwork you have shown in the exhibition? How is it connected to the theme of the entire festival?
RK – The OUT OF BALANCE theme means showing situations that particularly challenge the actors. I have chosen three works of art, which show some of these situations. 
– Refugees at sea: I wanted to show the dangerous situation of refugees, who use dangerous rubber boats on the sea to come to Europe. How do they feel? How does a woman feel when she has her child with her? 
– Harlekin: A woman is unsure of her feelings. He should believe in love, which he feels or is just a dream. On the one hand he wants to be happy, on the other he feels that something is wrong. He feels like he’s a Harlekin in a circle of fire. 
– Young woman with man: A young woman fell in love with the young man next to her. For her, the world has changed completely and she feels particularly happy. He is looking through pink eyeglasses.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
RK – Yes, I think ITSLIQUID GROUP can give artists opportunities to represent their works. It is a chance to get in contact to other artists, collectors and the press.

LC – What are your suggestions about our services? Is there something more we can provide to artists?
RK – All is OK: when I had questions, I got friendly and patient support.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
RK – Yes, I enjoy collaborating with you and being a part of this art exhibition. Thank you very much for this interview.