Vanessa Wenwieser
Vanessa Wenwieser was born in Munich, Germany, and graduated with a Fine Art Photography degree from the Glasgow School of Art. Her artworks have been widely exhibited in 2023, both virtually in group shows and in several physical exhibitions including the Marvelous Art Gallery, London; Capital Culture House, Madrid; Florence Contemporary Gallery; and the Kuvid Gallery, Dortmund.
What are the core themes you explore through your art?
The core themes I explore through my art are female-based. Throughout history there has been enough contemplation through the male gaze, it’s now time for the female gaze; to see the world from a female perspective, more nuanced and multi-layered. I especially delve into what goes on beneath the surface; feelings, thoughts, vulnerability, things that cannot be seen with the naked eye. I explore themes that often contemplate metamorphosis or strong emotional places – dark places of the soul – but provide the viewer with a common ground, with hope, and a deeper look into themselves, hopefully with a shared experience.
Can you share more about your sources of inspiration?
My inspiration is of course from experiences, as well as books, movies, art, music, life; there is nothing that doesn’t get recorded and stored for later. My lovely childhood where I especially enjoyed playing in the Alpine forest, imagining my own world, left a huge impression on me, as did the dark fairytale books of the Brothers Grimm. I loved the painter Gustav Klimt and had The Kiss hanging over my bed as a teenager. I revered the intensity of Vincent van Gogh and the dramatic lighting of Rembrandt, and later the photographer Duane Michals, who went against the grain and used text on his photos. Also, the fine art photographer Brooke Shaden, whose fantastic worlds showed me that photography doesn’t need to be documental; it can also reflect feelings and emotions.
“Vanessa is the cover artist of the Art Seen 2024 - February Edition.”
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