Interview with Edith Jung — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Born in Germany, Edith Jung studied at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe and completed her studies with a scholarship from Baden-Württemberg Art Foundation. This was followed by a six-month-long guest stay as an artist in residence at Villa Massimo, Rome.
In 2021 she received the Power of Creativity Art Prize by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine.
Her work is exhibited internationally and collected in well-known Art Collections.
She lives and works as an artist in Karlsruhe.

How would you describe yourself and your artwork?

Since my completed study at State Academy of Fine Art, Karlsruhe, Germany and a 6-month stay at Villa Massimo, Rome, I love to experiment with different materials, special pigments, colors and themes. My works are to be seen as a creative exploration of internal worlds. The points of intersection between these internal and external worlds give rise to symbols and cyphers that allow the viewer to sense and feel more that is actually expressed. An important feature is the smooth movement on the flat to create a three-dimensional illusion.

The goal is to create a truly individual technique of painting and a new perspective of seeing. I always want to refine and develop a new, other, fresh and spirituel point of view in my work and also in my life.

Currently, I live and work as an artist in Germany. My work is exhibited and collected internationally.

How do you go about beginning a new piece? Do you have an idea already in mind, or do you start working with materials or sketches to find the departure point?

Before beginning a new piece I have an idea in mind, but during the process of working each artwork develops a life of its own. I always go in dialogue with the unfinished work, and many layers of pigments, glue, colors, new ideas and inspirations are needed to create successfully a piece of art. It is a long process and very often it took me a month to complete the work.

In the beginning, I cannot estimate what comes out at the end.

When do you think your most prolific time of day or week is?

The most prolific time of day for me is the morning. In the first half of the day, the energy is almost fresh and clear and because of these special, sparkling pigments and materials I work with, it is important for me to work in daylight.

Sometimes Sunday is also a prolific time for me. I like the tranquillity of this special day.

What is a barrier you as an artist overcame? Is there anything that enabled you to develop your work as an artist in your life?

In my work, I always followed my own individual way, independent of present trends.

Unfortunately, the number of art collectors and art buyers is relatively low and this is a great barrier in my life as an artist.

Did you have an idea of what you wanted to create right from the beginning?

Right from the beginning, I was fascinated by signs, symbols and cyphers in different forms and meanings. For me, signs are a kind of “protolanguage” of mankind.

I want to create a connection between the internal and external world, between ancient cultures and modern times.

What is the meaning or creative inspiration for your work? We’re curious what the narrative or story is to what you are producing?

Contemporary classic music and modern ballet often can take me to new and other spaces.

To be in and with nature can strengthen my roots and give me peace.

Meditation and Yoga for me are a possibility to come in touch with a reality beyond my mind and thoughts.

Besides your artworks, are there any other things in life that your voice as an artist may consider vital or valuable? What makes you joyful and creative, in other words?

While working I often hear contemporary modern classic music.

The combination of music and painting, of sound and stroke of the brush for me is a creative process and in this way I can experiment and develop unexplored opportunities.