Enter Kerstin Brätsch’s brightly-coloured universe, and be captivated by her sensuous, playful visual style.  

What is a painting – and what are its potential limits? Brätsch’s artistry is always grounded in painting, but it appears to be ambiguous and in flux. She is especially interested in the idea that a painting can be expressive and thus be a depiction of feelings, unconscious desires or mental states. Translucent veils of colour and swirling brushstrokes recall energy streams, cosmic forces or interior visions, where form and meaning are in constant motion. This dialogue with art’s history adds depth and complexity to her work, inviting you to reflect on what you think a painting actually is, and what you see in it.  

This is one way to interpret the title MƎTAATEM. In this context, the word ‘meta’ can be understood as a reflection on the medium of painting, while the German word ‘Atem’ translates as ‘breath’. The title specifically refers to a series of new paintings in which Brätsch engages with ideas about painting as an expression of physical processes and energy streams.  

She allows a painting’s subject matter to assume new forms via such media as drawing, photography, video and sculpture. She also brings new techniques and knowledge traditions into her work through a variety of collaborations with craftspeople and other artists.

Esoteric, psychedelic ideas about the relationship between consciousness, body and painting are central to Brätsch’s practice.  This conversation will examine who – or what – actually shapes the meaning of a work. 

About Kerstin Brätsch:

Kerstin Brätsch (b. 1979 in Hamburg, Germany) has distinguished herself as a powerful and relevant voice in international contemporary art. She has exhibited her work in many leading institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, New York, Whitney Biennial, the Venice Biennale, and the Serpentine Gallery, London, UK. Brätsch works both solo and in collaboration with other artists, including Adele Röder, Debo Eilers and Serge Tcherepnin. She studied at Columbia University, New York and Universität der Künste, Berlin. She lives and works in Berlin.  

In 2017 she was awarded the Edvard Munch Art Award. The jury highlighted how Brätsch has secured her position in the international art scene via many impressive exhibitions and projects. The jury further stated that Brätsch has enormous potential to develop her career in the coming years, and that they looked forward to following her future work with great interest.  

Photo: Andrea Rossetti