Beate Gegenwart’s principal medium is enamel, a thin layer of glass fired onto metal. She is passionate about this wonderful material and the vast array of beautiful surfaces and qualities that may be created. All pieces begin with drawing. She sees the initial drawing process as a ‘rehearsal’ for the permanent marks to be incised or cut; lines describing space. In the case of the wall pieces, these cut lines create shadows on the wall behind forming the ‘double’; connecting the artwork, wall and panel. Subsequently, the layers of enamel, fragile yet hard and permanent, interrupt the juxtaposition of the cut spaces, each meticulously drawn, scratched, abraded and engraved. This introduces an element of ‘chance’, the artwork being fired and re-fired several times, the handmade mark unpredictable and intimate. 3D vessels in steel and copper are a fascinating new departure for her. It enables the freedom to be playful with ideas and to make pieces with the most intricate drawings. It allows her to take the work off the wall, to create pieces in space, which may be used, moved or held. They belong to the wall pieces in concept, yet are ‘free’ and playful.
Beate Gegenwart is a maker and curator who lives and works on the Gower Peninsular near Swansea in the United Kingdom. Originally from Germany, she studied at the University of Wales, Cardiff and the University of the West of England, Bristol, completing two Master degrees. Drawing, mark-making, the explicit connections between material, process and maker as well as an emphasis on concept and idea are all central to her practice as an artist.
Beate Gegenwart has exhibited nationally and internationally and curated numerous exhibitions, touring to North America, France, The Netherlands and Germany. Her work is held in both national and international collections.
