Jolanda Richter art – Circle Foundation for the Arts

What themes does your work involve?

I often use poetical elements and ethereal figures in my artwork. Figures are often flying and floating, they are weightless and totally detached from the apparent linear reality. My paintings are an open system for the viewer. When I present my work the viewer is asked to reflect on his or her own emotions.

Describe your creative process.

The ideas for my paintings develop from a complex inner process. Psychology is one key for decoding my artwork because I deal a lot with psychological subjects. These influences result in a specific picture in my head. After that, I "only" have to paint these images in an appropriate way. But of course, there are many other steps in between. For example, I find it of great importance to interact closely with my models in order to express my ideas by means of their body language and mimic.

What influences your work? What inspires you? Why do you make art?

Involving psychology, philosophy, literature, and the various media are influences that come to resonate with my inner world. My paintings are part of myself, completely and authentically, Music is also a very important part of my life and my art, I studied Violoncello first, before studying visual arts. So art is the only way to express myself.

What is good art? What makes a piece of art great?

This is a question you shouldn't ask because these days there is no appropriate answer. But for me, there is always one question: does this artwork just entertain you or does it elevate you? For me, good art has to elevate viewers. Otherwise, it has no relevance ... at least for me.

What is the role of the artist today?

I can only talk about myself. So for me the role of an artist today should be that artworks open new ways of thinking to viewers in all aspects of life. And not just to provoke people to be part of media and art market.