Interview: Sybille Lampe
Luca Curci talks with Sybille Lampe during CONTEMPORARY VENICE 2021, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

Most of my paintings are abstract, but they do originate from the visible reality of i.e. landscapes or people that I met during my many travels and stays through the world. These impressions merge with my inner visions when I am painting. Often they are documented in intensively applied colours. Varnished and watercolour areas are often counter poles and in relationship with the structure of the unpainted canvas and sometimes with collaged Japanese papers, they produce condensing and hollow spaces. All this leads to various optical contrasts. This is what I call a LANDSCAPE of IMMATERIAL TRUTHS. I follow abstract expressionism.

Luca Curci – How did you get to your current artistic practice?
Sybille Lampe – My work has been strongly influenced by the years I lived in Africa. The power and emotions of this unique continent are transferred onto my paintings with strongly applied colours, acrylic and pigments as well as sometimes real African soil. For around 3 years, I am painting not only on canvas but also on acrylic glass and mirror foil. These works increase the lucidity of the colours to a higher degree.

LC – Do you use art to express something in particular? Is it like your medium of expression?
SL – I don’t think it’s important to follow planned colour relations and to have a planed composition concept, instead, I let my inner pictures rise and transform and depict them immediately. Abstract painting means to me the process of idea conceiving and idea experiencing, which anyone can understand by knowledge about colour and shape relation theory. But the full access to an abstract painting you will only get when you let your contemplation and consciousness free, while at the same time you open your heart and free your mind.

LC – How do you feel when you see your work completed?
SL – When a work is completed, I feel like I can return to breathe through my whole body.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
SL – My style did not change so much, but it became more expressive during the years.

LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the festival?
SL – I appreciate ITSLIQUID’s vision of art very much. As an artist, it is a great opportunity to come in contact with artists all over the world. ART is also communication between people and this is what I like about platforms like ITSLIQUID Group.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
SL – ITSLIQUID GROUP is a great chance for artists to present their work worldwide.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
SL – It is the first time I work with you and I am so happy about your friendly collaboration. The correspondence with your project coordinators was very pleasant so far, especially in these odd Corona-times. I really look forward to coming to Venice personally as soon as possible.