The journey into “inner and outer worlds” in Jens Leinert’s art
On the 24th of March, Jens Leinert celebrates a vernissage at the KulturCentrale and thus opens his exhibition “Sphären/ Anderswelten” in the Full Moon Gallery. In his exhibition, Leinert invites us on a journey into inner and outer worlds. In this interview, Jens Leinert provides unique insights into his inspirations, his creative process and his personal connection to art.
How did your connection to the Full Moon Gallery begin?
I came into contact with the Full Moon Gallery through the KulturCentrale Christmas Art Market. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take part due to illness, so now I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to exhibit my work in this special gallery.
How did your passion for art evolve?
After years of working as a graphic designer, I was convinced that I couldn’t paint. It wasn’t until I met an artist in person that I found a completely new approach to art. We spontaneously decided to paint a picture together and I haven’t been able to resist it ever since. Painting has such a distinct quality compared to working on a computer. You can’t just click to change the colours, remove things or start again. With art, I never know what will happen. I subconsciously bring the “inner worlds” onto the canvas and see where they take me.
Each of us has these “inner worlds”, such as traumas and childhood experiences, which we can explore. Painting is a good means of expression for me. In the past, I have also tried my luck with music, lyrics and poetry. But ultimately, painting is my means of expression.
Since I’ve been painting, I’ve also been dreaming in colour!
What is your creative process when working on your pieces? How do you decide on a medium or technique for new concepts?
For the most part, my works are abstract and without concrete motifs. I don’t know in advance what will happen. It depends on what I want to achieve. Different techniques have different effects, for example working with spray paint creates a special density. At the moment, I have particularly discovered working with acrylic binders and pigments.
I hardly ever work with brushes during the painting process, I use everything I can get hold of, so all kinds of household objects contribute to my creations.
In the past, I had tried traditional art lessons. I wanted to work exactly according to plan and achieve what I had planned. But that doesn’t work for me and will never be my process.
Can you explain how the scientific elements influence your work and how you align it with the “mystical”?
For me, it’s pure intuition. I am very interested in the topic of “time”. Does time exist? Especially in regards to the big picture? In the world of science, the point is already reached where there is talk of “spaces” that are free of time.
With regard to my fascination with time, I already have an idea of my final work. There I want to depict infinity and awaken something in the viewer.
In this exhibition, I will be bringing along works on the theme of “heart”, among other things. The heart is printed out and I paint what I want to express around it. I strive to realise something figurative for the viewer and for this I need prints, templates, or collages as aids. I can’t do classical art in the form of portraits and I don’t need to be able to.
To what extent does your work in care influence your art?
I work in a nursing home, in assisted care and in the voluntary hospice service. As a result, I have a lot of contact with dying people and those suffering from dementia. The experiences I have gained there are a great influence for me. Dealing with dementia is particularly difficult for loved ones, but my daily work gives me the impression that the people affected are in a different world. In a scientific context, it is often about reactivating these people and bringing them back. What is particularly interesting for me is where the journey to other worlds takes them. These “inner and outer spaces” have a strong influence on me.
In what way do you hope your audience will engage with and interpret your work? Are there certain reactions or experiences that you want to evoke?
Not really! I find it exciting how differently the works are received. Sometimes I put my works in a corner because I don’t see any potential in them and then someone comes along who is enthusiastic about the art.
If my art sparks something in people, then of course I love it! That’s my motivation. I don’t want to tell anyone to see any meaning in my art, because there is none!
Facebook Event: Sphären / Anderswelten Ausstellung von Jens Leinert