Petra Schott
Petra Schott is an abstract painter whose art revolves around states of mind, longings, and memories. She studied Fine Art at the Art Academy in Kassel in 1982 and has since attracted the attention of national and international galleries, art critics, and collectors.
Highly influenced by the works of Cy Twombly, Leiko Ikemura, Joan Mitchell, Marlène Dumas, Elisabeth Cummings, and Henri Matisse, the artist’s work is emotionally charged and in direct dialogue with the viewer, who is invited into an open space for expression.
While Schott delicately creates colorful representations of nostalgia, freedom, and human relationships, she also explores nature and an intangible realm in which human figures with abstract facial expressions are loosely outlined.
In her work, she weaves personal and collective memories into shapes, marks, and lines found in her everyday life, creating an abstract language of painting that oscillates between lyrical abstraction and figurative references. The art curator Nell Cardozo wrote about her works: “There is a generous intimacy in Schott’s use of color that coaxes out a subtle interplay between comfort and longing. Looking into them is like looking into a dream that belongs to some common consciousness.”
Petra Schott regularly exhibits nationally and internationally.
Statement
My paintings border between abstract and figurative art. They are associative and inspired by inner images and visions, entering into a deep conversation with the viewer. For a long time in my life, working as a judge and lawyer, I heavily challenged my left hemisphere. As a painter, I want to find balance and also bring all the wealth of my right hemisphere into my paintings. I scribble into my paintings, transferring my thoughts, associations, and memories onto the surface, thus creating a meta-level different from my paintings' visible shapes and colors. I start with colors, forms, and associations—a poem in mind, a situation, the season, music, or my mental state. Then a magical moment occurs, and the painting reveals itself to me: the shapes and colors become more explicit, and I take it up from there, however, more in a state of ‘listening’ than ‘doing.’
Instagram: @petra.schott.art
What initially sparked your interest in art?
My journey with art began as a passive interest, lacking the fervor of true passion. It wasn't until the crucible of my law studies, amid stress, that the transformation occurred. Accustomed to rational problem-solving, I yearned for an outlet detached from analysis and words. The revelation came when I found a forgotten gift, a watercolor set, and immersed myself in the world of color, shapes, and texture—an unadulterated pleasure devoid of the need for explanations or justifications. This newfound tactile and visual language became my solace. I inscribed myself for a Fine Arts degree and since then continue to explore the boundless realms of painting.
What connects your work together and what keeps you creating?
My appetite for painting knows no bounds. Upon completing one artwork, a desire emerges to embark on a fresh creation—distinct in form, color, and canvas. Continuously navigating uncharted territories, my work is bound by the delicate balance between abstract and figurative expressions. Constantly inquisitive, I strive to unveil new avenues for articulating my associations, emotions, and ideas, ensuring that each piece becomes a unique exploration of creative possibilities.
Describe your work using three words.
Freedom - Intuition - Intensity
What are you most proud of as an artist, whether it's a specific moment or who you are as an artist?
Gratitude outweighs pride in my artistic journey. Though I work a lot, I realize that much flows effortlessly to me, if I let my intuition guide me. I embrace the unfolding, allowing my paintings to be less a testimonial of personal achievement and more a reflection of my openness to receive the artistic essence that comes my way; my paintings serve as my means of processing and digesting the nuances of life that envelop me.
If you could be in a two-person exhibition with any artist from history, who would it be and why?
I would love to partake in a two-person exhibition alongside Tracey Emin. Her unabashed honesty, expressive painterly style, and the way she infuses her emotions and life into her works resonate deeply with me. Imagining our paintings engaged in a dialogue, sharing the narratives woven through our distinct yet interconnected artistic expressions, would be an enriching and captivating experience.
