That's me
Experienced artist of over 25 years, Gabriela Himstedt, was born in Germany and spent much of her childhood in Italy. Her inspiration is people, daily sceneries, the pattern of landscapes and crowds and her attraction to ‘different’.
Following various studies and workshops over several years, Gabriela had the opportunity to study as a private student for ten years. She then continued to learn and grow at the Bremen University of Art in 2011 and holds a degree in painting, drawing, and sculpture, which helped her pursue her career as an artist.
Her artwork reflects the essence of ordinary scenes, which arise from observations and imagination. Her ability to capture the singular beauty of daily life in her use of brushwork and complex layering of glazes, textures, drawing, and painting makes her artwork stand out with expressiveness.
Gabriela loves to travel, which has inspired her work. She moved to Australia in 2012 to continue with her passion, her career in art.
To date, Gabriela has achieved a great deal, including exhibiting at a large number of solo and group exhibitions in both Germany and Australia. She has been commissioned to create modern and figurative paintings in Germany and elsewhere. Her artwork is included in many private collections, and has won awards for her achievements.
In 2013, she opened her own studio in Perth. Since then, she has given lectures about art in Germany, exhibited widely, and, in 2015, founded Colouryour.life, which allows her to share her vast knowledge with others and guide their artistic skills.
Artist Statement:
My work is inspired by my attraction to ‘different’. The movement and rhythm of crowds, as well as how a single feature like red hair or a red shirt can distinguish someone from the masses,
Sometimes, the mass of people constitutes a pattern. We are all similar but different. Upon seeing many people in a crowd, it is hard to see an individual at first glance, but when looking closer, a distinction and contrast of each person can be seen.
When painting, my goal is to create a picture that goes beyond what is immediately visible, where a figurative painting is pulled from its conventional form and deconstructed into parts, marks, drips, and mishaps that overtake the centrality of the figure.
Recently, concepts unrelated to figurative painting have taken precedence in my work, such as exploring colour, shifting perspectives, reducing forms, and inventiveness with respect to format.
Education / Ausbildung
1985-2000 Several private studies and workshops in Italy and Germany
1991 - 2001 Intensive private study by German artist Torsten Paul
2009-2011 University of the Arts Bremen, Degree of Fine Arts
Exhibitions / Ausstellungen
2024
June / OSTSTADTKUNST Produzentengalerie & Atelier Torsten Paul / Hannover / Germany
SHOW OFF / City of Cockburn
2020-2023
SHOW OFF / City of Cockburn
Moores Building, Art Gallery Fremantle
2019
Hanover, Germany
Houghton Gallery, Swan Valley, Perth
SubiArtCo, Desirables, Perth
2018
Hampton’s , City Beach, Perth
Moores Building, Art Gallery, Fremantle
KuDeTa, Point Fraser, Perth City
2017
4 Artists, Exhibition, Riverside Gallery, Guildford
Mindscapes 2017, Cambridge Studio Gallery / Melbourne
,Spring has Sprung' , SubiArtCo Galleries, Subiaco
April opening ,SubiArtCo' / Subiaco / Co-Founder
Show off 13 Exhibition / Hamilton Hill --Group
2016
Cliftons Art Prize -- Finalist
Hands across the world / Paint for hope workshops
,Equal but Different' / Cafe Gallery Adam, Fuhrberg, Germany --- Solo
Fine Art at Guildford Grammar, Guildford Grammar --- Group
,Unrestricted by Reality, Kidogo Art House, Bathers Beach, Fremantle --- Group
2015
Founder of www.colouryour.life
Art Award City of Busselton / Finalists
Art Award Bayswater
Art Award City of Stirling
Fine Art at Army Art / Selected group exhibition
Exhibition ,Gallery Paul' June -July Germany
Tutorial workshops ,Seeperlen' June-July Germany
Give a lecture about ,Australia and Art' Invited from Rotary / Germany
2014
Installation , 25 years after the fall of the Berlin wall' / Mt. Claremont / Perth
Art Laab / Nedlands / Perth --- Duo
Blue Lizzard Gallery / Joondalup / Perth
Art Award Melville / Perth ---Group
Rotary Art Show at Garden City / Melville / Perth --- Group
Art Laab Gallery / Nedlands / Perth ---Duo
Art in the Valley / Swan Valley / Perth ---Group
2013
Open Art Studio Day / Ardross / Perth --- Solo
Art Festival Cervantes Highly Commended
Art Festival / Dalwallinu
Art Award / Bassendean / Perth
Art Award / Bayswater / Perth
Art Award / City of Stirling / Perth
Art Award / Belmont / Perth Highly Commended
Own Studio Opening / Ardross / Perth
2012
Shorttime Residence / Artsource /Fremantle
Member of Artsource, Fremantle
2011
Moved to Australia
2010
Further Study
Eisfabrik Gallery, Germany---Group
2009
Deutsche Bank Gallery---Group
2008
Eisfabrik Gallery, Germany---Group
Maritim Gallery, Germany---Duo
2007
Eisfabrik Gallery, Germany---Group
Open Studio, Germany---Group
Member Cultural Centre Faust, Germany
Member in Helmkestrasse, Germany
Tavola, Germany---Solo
2006
Eisfabrik, Gallery Germany--- Group
Open Studios, Germany--- Group
Mediadeck, Germany---Group
2005
Tavola, Germany--- Solo
Arenalingua Gallery, Germany---Solo
2004
Tavola, Germany---Solo
Community Centre, Germany--- Group
Wöhler and Partner, Germany--- Solo
2003
Tavola, Germany---Solo
Stadtparkhotel Gallery, Germany--- Group
2002
Klausing and Partner, Germany--- Solo
2001
Azzurro Gallery, Germany---Solo
2000
Klausing and Partner, Germany--- Solo
1999
Azzurro Gallery, Germany---Solo