Interview with Stefanie Ruprechter

Painting and art were almost put in my cradle, because my father Erich Ruprechter is a sculptor and artist. My profession was painting. Only much later was I supposed to find the objects. Painting has been an inherent need of me since I can think. My intention is to make a difference; in me a freedom and to at least try to "move" the interior of people. And to question the systems in which we live - which may have been anchored in us. Art is the freest and most honest medium; art is the revolution of consciousness. With my work, I would like to invite viewers to associate freely.

Stefanie, the philosophical implications of modern physics and spiritual wisdom notably inspire your work. Could you elaborate on how these influences intertwine in your artistic process and assist you in visualizing a "possible truth" beyond the mechanistic view of the world?

In most of my creative phases, I pursue a diverse and dynamic approach. In the current phase you mentioned, where I engage deeply with the elaboration of Eastern spiritual wisdom and the mechanistic thinking of the West, I strive to integrate these divergent paradigms into my creative process. This integration occurs through the medium of my art, which serves as a vehicle to merge these contrasting worldviews.
However, to place this within a broader context: This phase of my artistic creation is the culmination of an extended period of in-depth engagement with the underlying themes. The intrinsic desire to comprehend the world in its profundity drives me. During this time, I immerse myself in extensive reading, seek dialogue with experts in their fields who possess deep insights, and also with those who fundamentally differ from my views. I attend lectures and explore various perspectives.
Particularly inspiring in this context have been the works of Dr. Hans-Peter Dürr, a quantum physicist and disciple of Heisenberg, who served multiple terms as director of the Max Planck Institute. My insights are largely based on his efforts to convey a reality beyond the material. Dürr speaks of a reality that is not material but is rather characterized by interconnectedness; a reality that resides at the very edge of what is conceivable. It is evident that science has already explained much, yet fundamental discrepancies remain, especially since the two foundational theories of physics do not mathematically reconcile with one another.
This discrepancy fuels my imagination and encourages me to transcend the boundaries of scientific knowledge. My inclination towards spirituality has taught me that it is crucial to remain open and not to fall into the illusion of having understood everything. Those who claim to know the complete truth, in essence, understand nothing.
In my life, there are no sharp boundaries; everything flows into one another and mutually influences each other. Thus, all these themes merge into my paintings and objects. For me, painting and sketching designs for objects is the most profound form of contemplation.
The creative process and the birth of an idea remain something mystical to me. It is an intuitive immersion and letting go, whose significance often reveals itself to me only later. Yet, all the themes that preoccupy me unconsciously flow into this process.
Sometimes I feel the urge to express a specific theme, such as a fascinating theory of quantum physics, artistically to share it with others and to raise awareness. However, even in these moments, intuition plays a crucial role. This is very important to me, as I believe that a work of art is only truly alive when it is kissed by the infinite pool of spirituality that underlies everything.

Art is described by you as "the revolution of consciousness." Can you elaborate on how your art serves to challenge or expand the collective consciousness of your audience? Could you share a specific instance where you felt your work achieved this revolutionary impact?

I believe that it should be everyone's intention in life to improve the world, even if only a tiny bit—or, more realistically, to at least ensure that it does not become worse. In this sense, I see it as the role of the visual arts to positively influence people’s knowledge and awareness.
To be honest, I am not sure whether my modest work has achieved a significant impact so far. However, in a smaller context, there have certainly been incredibly valuable and enriching discussions and conversations inspired by my work.
I am deeply grateful and delighted whenever someone is prompted by my work to explore new thoughts and perspectives. This is the greatest reward for me as an artist.
The term "revolution" is a very grand one. At the moment, I do not recall the exact context in which I used it, but I suspect that I was not referring explicitly to my own work but to art in general. Art has had, and hopefully will continue to have, the power to transform human consciousness.

In your practice, you blend reflection with intuition. What methods do you employ to maintain this balance, and what techniques facilitate your access to intuitive states?

In my opinion, reflection is a fundamental mindset; it is a particular way of thinking and a consequence of a more holistic worldview. It is essential in the artistic process. Intuition, on the other hand, is something mystical—a kind of gift that cannot be forced.
Even in physics, there are repeated accounts of how the ultimate solution came intuitively, for example, during piano playing. One cannot simply add something to be creative. Rather, it is something that needs space to grow. For instance, worries, stress, and fears are hindrances.
Regular meditation helps me minimize these factors. Sometimes, images that come to me during meditation or in dreams end up being painted later.

Your portfolio shows a thematic focus on uncovering hidden aspects and probing the essence of the world. What methodologies do you use to explore these hidden dimensions, and how does this approach influence your choice of materials or techniques?

I come from a background in classical hyperrealistic painting. My training in this direction has provided me with the necessary skills to adequately manifest inner images on canvas and other surfaces. However, I always strive to evolve, and my painting has long moved beyond strict realism. I dislike limitations.
In my philosophy, the "possible ultimate truth" is inherently more abstract. Yet, I have never been able to fully implement this; there has always been a residual need for some element of realism in the painting or object. I believe this precisely reflects my own spiritual development process. Thinking about something and living it are always two different things. However, one cannot live something until one has conceived it.
In my latest works, I press elements onto the canvas from behind, causing it to bulge significantly. With this, I aim to symbolize the unknown, the enigmatic, and the invisible laws that influence our lives and the world, yet remain unseen. This series represents a major step for me, as these canvases were once painted with forms, such as a realistically painted cat. I overpainted it almost monochromatically. Only a hint of it remains visible, but the cat is still there; it is almost invisible because it was overpainted, but it remains between the layers of paint.
In my paintings and objects, what concerns me is always reflected very authentically. I believe that whether one wants it or not, a significant part of the artist flows into each exhibit.

You aim to provoke free association in viewers with your artworks. Could you discuss some of the most unexpected or enlightening interpretations you have encountered, and how have these influenced your subsequent creations?

I am, of course, always incredibly grateful when people feel touched by my paintings. However, it has only happened twice that someone was truly moved to tears by my work.
With the painting "The Overcoming of the Illusion of Separation," it happened that an acquaintance was completely overwhelmed upon seeing this piece. She couldn't stop looking at it and said that no words could better express how she sees the world than this painting. It perfectly matched her worldview.
This confirms my belief that the true essence, which may lie behind the visually perceptible, cannot be expressed in words. It is also difficult to convey through images, but somewhat more achievable. This is one of the reasons why I became a visual artist.

As the daughter of a sculptor and artist, how has your father's work influenced your artistic identity and methodologies? Are there specific philosophies or techniques you have either adopted or consciously diverged from?

My father works in a completely different manner, with different materials, and has a completely different perspective on art and the world than I do.
I believe that the greatest influence on a child comes when art and creative endeavors hold a high value in every respect. When everything a person creates is given weight and significance and is appreciated. I am not sure if I would have become an artist if I had not grown up in this environment. Probably so, as my three siblings are not artists. I believe that the intrinsic desire to express oneself is innate. For me, painting and manifesting my thoughts and feelings is a kind of necessity. Given that my father is an artist, I may have seen a way to view this passion not merely as an impractical hobby but as something to be pursued seriously.

You aim to challenge the systems within which we live through your art. What responsibilities do you think artists have in questioning and influencing societal norms and structures? How does your work address or reflect specific systemic issues?

As previously mentioned, I believe in the significant responsibility of artists towards society. Art is the last free medium capable of influencing people's thinking, thus changing society and working on possible solutions to many of our contemporary problems. Art can connect across national borders, cultures, religions, and more. It can be seen as a universal language. Art has always been bold enough to explore new paths and embrace new developments.
I believe that Western ways of thinking manifest in many aspects of life. With my work, I aim to critically address this mechanistic and reductionist mindset and advocate for a way of thinking that reflects the interconnectedness of everything.
Werner Heisenberg described it approximately as follows: "Physics deals only with the question of WHAT? Philosophy deals only with the question of WHY? The task of art is to convey these insights to the people."
It is said that it takes about 100 years for the latest scientific discoveries to become common sense. Therefore, I believe it is now time to elevate the new insights of quantum physics, which are about 100 years old, to collective knowledge. I am thinking of a more holistic worldview. Please refer to my website to see the specific insights I am referring to.
The Dalai Lama once commented on quantum physics with something like: "It’s good that you have finally understood it too."

Looking ahead to future projects and explorations, what new themes or technologies are you looking forward to integrating into your practice? What upcoming works or exhibitions can your followers look forward to?

I am very pleased to be nominated for the annual Art Prize by the Austrian Association of Visual Artists. I am one of the six nominees who will have the opportunity to exhibit at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna in October. The submitted piece is titled "The Multidimensional Soul Manifested in Every Drop of the Holographic Universe."
This artwork, along with two others, will also be exhibited at Galerie Ziller in November. These autumn events are a small exception, as I will not be painting or working on art again until January. At that point, I will be able to fully immerse myself once more in my art and my world of ideas, provided I am not already drawn in before then and if time allows. I am definitely looking forward to delving further into abstraction and three-dimensional work.
From January to approximately June, as every year, I will withdraw from all other commitments, such as commissioned work, to fully dedicate myself to art.
More information about my work you can find here www.stefaniruprecht.eu or on Instagram