"Perception" - Anja Studer
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Cre8ery Gallery & Studio 2-125 Adelaide St, Corner of William, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 0W4
Perception – Wahrnehmung by Anja Studer
Opening Reception: March 12, 7-11pm
Exhibition Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 12-6pm; Saturday 12-5pm
Studer has always been fascinated by the fact that two people can have the same experience but perceive it so differently. While working on her last solo exhibition, titled “Home Sweet Home,” she discovered that her perception of growing up was quite different from her brother’s – that it’s not only people, events, and experiences but rather our perception of those that makes us who we are.
This exhibition is a natural evolution from her last series of work, which explored the idea of home. Through her work, she continues to explore the question of existence. She finds herself pondering how her perceptions might differ from others', wondering about other people’s perceptions of situations and people, curious about people’s perceptions of their own lives, themselves and the world.
This series consists of illustrations, screen prints, encaustic and oil paintings, and a large format installation – all exploring the theme of perception in different ways.
The illustrations and screen prints explore the physical nature and personality or character traits in people – seeing animals in people like we see animals in the clouds. The black ink line drawings use graphic geometric patterns inspired by folk art from all over the world, including Swiss Bauernmalerei and paper cuts.
Her paintings are abstract impressions of landscapes, playing with the dynamic between nature and emotion. Some of the paintings include transfers of her illustrations, adding a whimsical aspect to the abstract landscapes. For the last few years, she has been experimenting with encaustics – the ancient form of painting with beeswax and pigment. The encaustic medium mixed with oil paints allows me to suggest a subject or concept visually and emotionally rather than illustrate it – allowing the audience to layer in their own perceptions.
Anja Studer was born and raised in Switzerland. After studying Fine Arts at the Ecole des Beaux Art due Valais in Sierre Switzerland, Anja decided to continue her studies abroad. She came to Canada where she studied Fine Arts at the University of Manitoba and Later obtained a diploma in photography at Red River College.
Anja has made Winnipeg her second home ever since and has continued to work as an artist, selling her artwork in Europe and Canada. Her work includes painting, illustration, photography, installation, jewelry, and textile design.