RAFFAEL BADER
b. 1988, GermanyIn my paintings, which are largely characterised by landscape, I considers my view of a world full of tensions while these hold the world together. I pursues a nature that consists of all natural things and elements that surround us, as well as us humans as part of this nature. I understand nature as a chaotic ground that strives for harmony. This seems to me to be a basic principle of life. I use the nature that surrounds us to create works in which I can face my inner conflicts. This includes interpersonal relationships and the search for understanding my role in this world. As the principle of the harmonic-chaotic thesis suggests, everything is in process.
I usually start new paintings with small, simple drawings that I call ‘notes’, but once I start a painting, this quickly takes on a life of its own. I paint with oil paint and oil pencils on canvas. I use a medium that makes the oil paint water-miscible, so I can create very thin watery layers as well as thicker ones. In conjunction with the oil pencils, I can create different textures. It is important to me that the canvas does not appear to be completely covered in paint. I don’t want to cover up the process.
Raffel Bader
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