Hello

My name is Beate, I`m a textil artist and printmaker from Germany, who now calls Northern Norway home since 2012. As a geologist by profession but with a major interest in marine biology, I have always been fascinated by nature.

From the very beginning, I was painting with oil and acrylics already in Germany. However, I began my professional journey by creating small creatures, monsters and dolls in various shape, colour and sizes while I was still living in southern Norway. Over the years, my creations have became smaller and more intricate, as I am constantly driven by the challenge of discovering and bringing something new to life.

Moving to arctic Norway means living much closer to nature which helped me to find my creative curiosity and implement new techniques into my art. I started printing and stitching some years ago. I am passionate about strong colours and using different materials - wool, fishing line, pearls, felt, fur, fish vertebra, buttons, etc. - all these materials are a huge treasure chamber for my inspiration. Moreover I collect flotsam on long walks along the shore of Northern Norway which I involve in my work. I experiment with fabric, paper and diverse materials from everyday life. Moreover, working with recycled material has become very important in my work.

The use of different techniques such as printing, stitching, sewing in endless combinations allows me a much greater form of expression. All these techniques are already quite time-consuming processes, but I also try to mature or modify my basic materials just by exposing them to the elements for days, weeks or even month. Creating a textile work means moving slowly through time, so that creativity can strike and the piece takes turns until it reaches its final form.