Kunstkatalog Stefanie Brehm

60 column 1, 2015 185 x 47 cm/ 72,8 x 18,5 in Wand /wall: blue silver rose, 2015 90 x 100 cm/ 35,4 x 39,4 in Stefanie Brehm describes her work as a penetration of materials. She focuses on forms and colours and less on messages of a political nature. Nevertheless, daily observations find their way into her work in a very personal manner, in the form of sound and action. Katja Andreae talked to her about her daily routine as an artist and mother of three children, her vision and passion for exploring materials. Before studying at the Munich art academy, you trained as a ceramicist. Did you know then that you wanted to work as a visual artist later on? When I started at the school of ceramics I had also considered applying to art colleges. However, I thought it made sense to gain a sound basis as part of a training course that would teach me the necessary skills and let me get to grips with the material. My attrac- tion to art dates back to my school days. Once I‘d finished my training, my clear aim was to study art. How has your engagement with material developed since leaving the academy? Well, of course I wanted to continue producing large-format ceramics as I’d done at the art academy, so I had to seek new work opportunities. Once the first major project started and a scholarship gave me the chance to study at the ceramic centre in the Netherlands, I was also able to hone my ceramic skills. Compared to general elementary training, you are delving into much more specific areas. Techniques of lesser interest are dropped automat- ically and you realise faster which artistic path you would like to follow. What‘s more, you learn things of inestimable value from the ceramic experts working at the centre. You need a particular setting in which to produce your works. And you also have three children, which is another challenge. How do you organise your working day? Since becoming self-employed and living in the country with my family, I tend to work more in blocks. I use a studio near our home where I make my polyurethane pieces and do my painting. If I want to work with ceramics, I’m currently dependent on external facilities and studios, which is why residencies are very important to me. Does having to produce your ceramic works elsewhere bother you? No, I enjoy getting out and about, it gives me a fresh take on things. In the long term though, I plan to set up my own ceramics studio, which will make it easier to work con- tinuously on the one hand, and on the other I like the idea of my children being able to experiment with ceramics. Children don‘t tend to be welcome in conventional workplaces, but coming along to the studio occasionally is fine. Interview Stefanie Brehm “As an artist, I work on an introspective basis” by Katja Andreae