NZ Art Show 2010: Fragile Shadows

Originating in Germany, Minu arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, three years ago and stayed. With a background in commercial design and architecture, Minu now works as an independent illustrator and artist. Her artwork ranges from traditional printmaking to mixed media and textile art.

Minu is passionate about the idea of non-definitive storytelling, not focused on the narrative, but depicting the non-textual matter. Her creations form archetypal characters and scenes. Her illustrations are snapshots of strange and magical stories, triggering shared memories, handing the story back to the viewer, for him or her to complete the tale.

Passionate about manipulating new materials and shaping them into her characters and scenes, her work is characterized by frequent changes in techniques. Like her creatures, her artwork shift shapes, revealing a sequence of hidden layers.

Though not addressed to children, her artwork is naive and figurative. Her characters are based on traditional archetypes like the unwilling (grumpy) and lonely hero, the companion on a journey, dangers and shadows of the past, present and future. Her creations often shift their shapes, wearing various skins or living in symbioses with others beings. They are in transition between stagnation and change.

Even though her characters are naive, melancholic, they emit something strangely positive and uplifting. Her compositions are based on simplicity, leaving wide open spaces.