Detail: I did not expect this behind the next Corner
65 x 90 cm Öl auf Leinwand
Artist Statement
Layers of memory – paths to one's own identity
In a world that often seems superficial and overlooks the depth of memory, my art aims to make the hidden landscapes of our consciousness visible. Inspired by nature as a mirror of my inner reality, my paintings open doors to spaces beyond the visible world. These inner landscapes are formed from layers of memories, interwoven into new meanings and insights.
My artistic method is characterized by overpainting and the conscious handling of traces of past states. Similar to our memory, some levels remain hidden, some emerge clearly, others exist as subtle hints. This creates complex and multifaceted works that reflect the process of remembering itself: the superimposing, forgetting, and rediscovering of our life story.
Through abstraction, I do not seek to distance myself from reality, but rather a deeper, radically subjective engagement with it. My paintings therefore do not represent geographical places, but landscapes of consciousness – fragmented, multifaceted, and deeply personal. They are places of insight, places where past, present, and future meet, allowing us to rediscover and understand ourselves.
I invite you to embark on your own journey through my works, to explore your personal path of memory, and thereby gain clarity about your identity and your history. Together, we can create a future that is more conscious, humane, and sustainable – shaped by the conscious reflection of our memories.
"Jochen Ulmer's paintings appear as messengers from a time when painting was still in full possession of its power: the supreme discipline among the arts, which does not concern itself with the doubts of art theory or challenges from conceptual or media art. Painting that does not reflect on itself, but rather creates autonomous worlds of colors and forms from immediate physical or emotional impulses, in which their power, splendor, and sensuality can freely unfold. Painting from the whole soul, without ifs and buts"
Dr. Tobias Wall, Art Historian
Between science and memory –
painting as a mirror of the soul
For Jochen Ulmer, born in Stuttgart in 1968, science and art are inextricably linked—two sides of the same coin that together enable a deeper understanding of our existence. Early on, he was fascinated by the question, "what holds the world together at its innermost core." Inspired by Goethe's Faust and his profound engagement with natural sciences, he initially pursued a career as a scientist. However, parallel to his analytical work, he developed an intense, emotional connection to art that never left him.
About 30 years ago, Jochen opened his first box of oil paints, a moment that left a lasting impression on him. With oil painting, he discovered a form of expression that allowed him to capture inner images and memories on canvas. This deep connection led him to develop his own technique, which he calls "Topography of Memories." Here, he combines expressive colors with overpaintings, leaving old layers visible and thus creating an exciting balancing act between abstraction and reality.
His works are visual meditations on memory, history, and identity, allowing viewers to reflect on their own experiences and find personal meaning in them. Numerous exhibitions, including a significant solo exhibition in Stuttgart in 2024, affirmed his path. Particularly emotional was the encounter with a viewer who rediscovered deeply hidden memories through one of his paintings – a moment that made Jochen realize that his art achieves exactly what is close to his heart: touching people and opening paths to their own identity.
Athena Art Magazine
Interview mit Künstlername
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