New Territory – A Proposal for CCBEU | Belém do Para | Brazil | 2019
AFTER A LIFE CHANGING EVENT ONE HAS TO RE-INVENT ONESELF. THE MOST RADICAL CHANGE IS TO GO AND VISIT NEW TERRITORY. THERE, IN THE UNKNOWN, THE UNFAMILIAR, IT IS THAT ONE CAN REFINE AND REDIRECT TO THE UNIVERSAL PATH ONE HAS TO GO.
MYANMAR
In Myanmar I traveled four weeks January/February 2019. This trip was a very intense, life changing experience. Many things reminded me of Brazil, but many things were also very different.
In Myanmar I started to expand into new territory. When I came to Brazil in 1994 the first time, it was also an exciting new experience. The whole 7 weeks were very emotional for me and facing a large City like São Paulo, being often alone, was frightening and exhilarating at the same time.
This same happened to me in Myanmar. Some of the regions my travel companion and fellow artist Lisa Haselbek and I visited, had just opened 5 years ago to tourism. One could feel the curiosity of the people around us and the vibe of a country starting out, The friendliness and warmth reminded me of Brazil, as well as the contrast between rich and poor.
During this trip I filled two big sketchbooks with watercolours. Watercolour became the medium of choice for me and will it be most likely for a long time to come.
Expanding – Increasing – Sharing – Caring
Being curious – Being respectful – Inviting the approach of people with a smile – Being grateful.
When I travel, this is how I interact. When I am painting, sitting at a corner or in a landscape, this is what I keep in mind. I realize, that I am carrying Canada and Germany with me wherever I go. That means that how I am interacting will shape the way everybody that crosses my path will see my two home countries.
New Territories
One always brings a lot of baggage on a new path. May it be concepts, knowledge or tools. Everything will enhance, but not stop the momentum into the new.
My proposal for the exhibition in the Centro Cultural CCBEU
New Territory
One large format Watercolour on Arches paper.
Each 44×60 inch, 150×112 cm
