Portraits?

Katinka Lampe creates figurative, expressionistic paintings, often portraits, that result from an exploration of subjects such as identity, social relationships, gender, and color. Simultaneously, Lampe seeks to challenge the classical genre of portraiture by questioning its cultural and historical baggage from a contemporary perspective.

 

Poses

In pursuit of the desired image, Lampe photographs models – usually young individuals – in specific poses. The models explicitly do not pose as themselves; they are cast and stylized based on a certain idea or source. These photos serve as the starting point for the paintings.

 

Oil Paint

During the painting process, there is a constant search for the tipping point between attraction and repulsion, affirmation and denial, realism, and abstraction. Precisely rendered details alternate with flat areas. The paint is consistently kept under control, and the backgrounds refer to nothing but themselves. The virtuoso brushstroke is deliberately avoided, as Lampe uses a large brush to wipe away any personal elements. These characteristics contribute an additional layer of meaning to her paintings.

 

Recognition and Alienation

Confronting Katinka Lampe's paintings immediately sparks personal associations with the image. You recognize a portrait, but upon longer inspection, your attention is drawn to other aspects. The focus is not so much on realistic resemblance but rather on artificial interventions, alienated additions, and the almost impersonal manner of painting that influence the viewing experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nederlandse tekst