Petra von Kazinyan was born in Gelnhausen, Germany and currently lives and works in Vienna, Austria and the Frankfurt/M. area. Her creative talent was recognized and encouraged at an early age, but nevertheless the female artist refused to go to art school. She decided that nobody could teach her art and graduated with a degree in philosophy.
How did you get into art?
Since my early childhood, I had the desire to transform my life into art. I was never not painting or drawing. Like Christo once said: When you’re an artist, you’re always an artist, there’s not one second in your life when you’re not an artist.
How would you describe your style? What makes your work special?
Oscillating between figuration and abstraction, I use painting as a medium of natural expression and aim to explore the human ego in my work; different levels of perception alternate between dream and reality, past and future. To me, figuration and abstraction complement each other; due to their reciprocal relationship, one results from the other, it’s an eternal cycle.
How do you go about developing your work?
There are only two steps: The initial idea and the execution.
Who or what influences you?
I find inspiration in anything that touches or moves me in a special and deep way: a dream, an encounter, fleeting impressions or travel memories... After all, art always originates from the individual. The artist experiences, perceives something and feels the need to share it. Stimulus and reaction are unconsciously brought into accordance.
Make us curious. What is planned next?
Currently I’m working on an upcoming solo show - and I‘m happy to be part of two curated charity auctions in Vienna, both in cooperation with the renowned auction house Dorotheum - first, the “Benefiz-Kunstauktion für Tierschutz Austria” curated by Loys Egg and Herbert Brandl, and second, the “SOS Mitmensch charity auction of contemporary art” coming up in June. It’s wonderful being given the chance to support our furry friends as well as people in need.
