Exhibition Paul Balmer

Paul Balmer (1964) grew up in South Africa and moved to Australia at the age of seventeen. There he studied Fine Art and Graphic Design. After his studies he worked for several years in illustration and advertising, both in Australia and America. The move to New York in 1999 marked an important turning point in his career. What began as a search within traditional academic painting developed into work that increasingly emerged from the imagination. His paintings took on a naive and abstract quality. His work

consists of several series. Although his choice of subject matter continues to evolve, his use of color, language of form and primitive character remain clearly influenced by his roots in South Africa and Australia.

LANDSCAPE These landscapes are characterized by a layered and atmospheric approach to the landscape. By building up and removing layers of paint, rich structures are created with a strong sense of depth and atmosphere. The paintings capture the raw beauty of nature while exploring themes of memory, emotion and the passage of time. The series is inspired by the many places he has lived, including South Africa, Australia, Europe and the United States.

CITYSCAPE These dynamic cityscapes are full of spontaneity and energy with a naive and playful approach, combined with a powerful and expressive use of color. "All the work contains elements of abstraction or is completely abstracted. A balance is sought between figuration and abstraction, between control and letting the work emerge. The worked and carved surfaces are rich in texture and layering and reflect the complexity of the cities themselves."

STILL LIFE The paintings arise from memory and imagination, not from direct observation. "Instead of sitting down in front of a bowl of fruit and painting it exactly, the choice is made to work from the imagination. This prevents the work from becoming too realistic and thus limiting. Sketching creates space to focus on form, light, shadow and composition, without being tied down to how something is supposed to look." Perspective plays an important role precisely by consciously letting go of it. Within one painting, spatial and more flat views alternate, creating tension and dynamics. Wine, fruit and set tables recur as classical elements, executed in a use of color that is vibrant and energetic.