Humbled and exited, those were the feelings I had when I attended the opening reception of the German Frauenmuseum's latest exhibition 'Women in War and Peace'. I was deeply impressed by the variety of ideas, paintings, photographs and performances that were created around the theme 'War and Peace' by more than 75 female artists. As the majority of artwork reflects personal experiences or family history, the pieces are very powerful, moving and left me with deep thoughts about my own memories of Worl War II. The exhibition showcases 7 large canvases of my 'Deutschland Series', illustrating my own family from 1945 - 1965 while living in Germany.
As a child, I remember seeing photographs in my mother’s old handbag. Some of them were very graphic and disturbing, like one of my injured father. Unsurprisingly, these images have always remained ingrained in my memory. When I finally decided it was time to use some of them as the background and for the groundwork in some paintings so began this body of work. To me, these paintings are important. They attempt to depict truth about the Post-World War II Generation to be seen in a world, where Germany is once again succeeding as a leading nation in Europe. These paintings are meant to serve as a reminder. Where we came from, how humble, weak, and insecure we were, and how much love we needed. How there are still deep scars.
The Frauenmuseum (Women's Museum) in Bonn, Germany was founded in 1981 by the present Director Marianne Pitzen and an interdisciplinary group of working women. More than 2.500 national and international artists have exhibited in this creative and innovative place.
Verein Frauenmuseum
Kunst, Kultur, Forschung e.V.
Im Krausfeld 10
53111 Bonn
Germany
http://www.frauenmuseum.de/