Interview with Gina Plunder — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Gina Plunder is born in Romania, now she lives and work as a visual artist in Rastatt, Germany. She graduated at the University in Bucharest and in Freiburg /Germany. She is member of the GEDOK- German and Austrian Artists association and BBK- federal German artists association. Since 2004 she is lecturer at the Country Academy of Art and Theater Castle Rotenfels. Since 2006 Director of the Art Centre - Bildungschance Rastatt, an education Association for schools Pupils.

Could you please introduce yourself and tell us how you started in the arts? and your first experience in art-making?

I was born in Romania, now based in Germany. I start to paint and draw since I was a little girl. I visit the art school in Romania, later I’ve graduated in Art in Freiburg /Germany. Now I’m member of the GEDOK- German and Austrian Artists association and BBK- federal German artists association.

In addition to my own work as an artist I’m also an art educator. Since about 14 years I’m Director of the Art Centre - Bildungschance Rastatt Art@Getinge and lecturer at the Land Academy of Art and Theater Castle Rotenfels.

I’m a one person company and manage everything by myself: starting with creating the art to marketing & selling.

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How would you describe yourself and your artwork?

I ’m an optimist, with a positive attitude towards life.

My aim is to create an imaginary world like fantasy places, visionary architecture or funny situations, always with a strong depth effect. At the same time I want to catch the light and simultaneously to break it, like crystals do and to create a three dimensional illusion. My works are describing the fillings inside sometimes easy full of light, or powerful like landscapes of the heart. Architecture and human silhouettes are basic elements in my art works.

My architecture-paintings are made from parts of iconic buildings across the globe. I’m inventing fantasy buildings without space boundaries.

I’m using a mix between the old Indonesian Batik technique, countless layering with acrylic paint and spray, so they are very atmospheric and full of light but in the same time powerful.

Generally, my work moves between painting and drawing, figuration and abstract, between illusion and reality.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

The life around me, traveling around the world, getting to know different cultures all this inspire me.

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What emotions do you hope the viewers experience when looking at your art?

I like to take the viewer into a three dimensional vision of a fantasy world, which almost seems to draw the viewer inside. This is the framework for my dream like creations.

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When do you know that an artwork is finished?

When my eyes are captured and relaxed in the same time.

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What has been the most exciting moment in your art career so far?

A great honour as well was to exhibit my paintings in the German Pavilion at the World EXPO 2008 in Zaragoza /Spain

A milestone in my career as an artist was that my painting “Mother Nature” was selected (only 168 international artists selected from 16.000 applications) for the 4thBeijing International Art Biennale of China and is now in the permanent China National Art Collection in the National Art Museum of China in Beijing.

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How long does it take to produce one work?

I’m painting everything free by hand and use countless layers with acrylic paint and spray, so it takes time to let my paintings “grow” till they are finished, about 4 weeks. It's exciting and I’m enjoying every minute.

What exciting projects are you working on right now? Can you share some of the future plans for your artwork?

I’m preparing my upcoming single exhibition in Karlsruhe /Germany .

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Do you have any upcoming events or exhibitions we should know about?

Very exciting for me is to present 2020 my painting “Over water” at the “V International Biennial of Contemporary Art of Argentina” at the Borges Cultural Center in Buenos Aires.