Marius von Brasch
For a long time, I have been captivated by both the potential and the fact of change, transformation and metamorphosis. The often unpredictable outcomes of such developments – abrupt or gradual, chosen or reinforced – can evoke fear as much as new perceptions of life.
At their core, they are intricately linked to and give colours to the perceptions of time.
As a painter I aim to invent a language for these subjects in the two-dimensional world of works on canvas or paper. How can I integrate or translate experiences of ‘transformation/metamorphosis/change’ in my life and the lives of others: emotional intensities and colours, grief and memories, hopes and anticipation, conceptual decisions, becoming and fading, restriction and liberation?
Psychological and philosophical perspectives have strongly influenced my approach, which – while not following a formal division between abstract and figurative – is about giving form to what seems fugitive and evading representation (time and affects) into the materiality of paint.
I find parallels to my work in Renaissance illuminations for alchemical treatises, which I admire and quote indirectly in my work. The symbolic alchemical imagery in these ancient works explores journeys of identity and consciousness while proposing transformative ways of working with conflict and diversity.
My goal here is to discover new, painterly ways to speak about these themes without referencing the ancient alchemical imagery literally.
Engaging in a dialogue with mythological Baroque (e.g., Poussin) and contemporary painting (e.g., Twombly) allows me to contribute to the ongoing tradition of exploring identity and time through painting.
Biography
German-British painter Marius von Brasch received his MA with distinction from Winchester School of Art (Uni of Southampton), where he also completed his practice-based PhD, both in Fine Art Painting. In 2013, he was awarded the Abbey Fellowship in Painting at The British School in Rome.
He has a background in psychotherapy and literature and has been teaching experiential approaches to painting and courses on art and literature. He works from his studio in Rookley, Isle of Wight. His work is in the Priseman Seabrook Collections, the University of Essex Modern and Contemporary British Art Collection and private collections. He is currently CBP’s treasurer.
Jenn Singer Gallery represents Marius von Brasch.
