The Trio - Das Dreiergespann

Three people are at the forefront of the work "Das Dreiergespann". Their relationship to each other is unknown. It could be a team running a business together; a group of school friends; children or a family. The name alone brings to mind the "Three Sisters" by Anton Chekhov. In all cases the trio has something in common and is related to each other. They are supported by interconnected beams, reminiscent of a pair of scales with weighing pans - in a balance of forces, supporting each other. As in all works by Veronika Spleiss, the three are surrounded by a confusing mixture, a chaotic environment without order, in which they know how to find their way together. But at the same time the black lines stand for their demarcation - alone and yet together.

Acrylic on canvas

50x50x4 cm

2020 

Education - Erziehung

The acrylic painting "Erziehung" already indicates with its title alone the upbringing of children by their parents. But education also includes learning and adaptation processes by other people. These take place by the lesson of the teacher on the one hand, and listening and understanding of the learner on the other. 

The painting on canvas with a black border shows this process. The larger figure in the left half of the picture inclines towards the other two figures. Its undulating shape suggests a protective and inclined posture. The two small figures in the middle of the painting stretch towards the large figure. Due to their straight as well as inclined form they appear attentive and curious. The group of figures is surrounded by buildings, hills and streets. An environment in which people integrate themselves by teaching and learning about their environment.

2019

Acrylic on canvas, white framed

11 4/5 × 11 4/5 × 1 1/2 in

32 × 32 × 5 cm

Private Collection Switzerland

Letting Go - Loslassen

The painting "Letting Go" is a counterpart to the work "Education". Just as a person teaches, educates and trains someone else, he has to let go of the other person later. In this sense the master lets his pupil or the parents let their children develop and grow up. They become self-determined people who make their own decisions independently. 

The work shows the moment of letting go. In the left half of the picture a figure is visible, walking away from his path. The same is true of the right half of the picture: several figures scattered in the opposite direction. They are searching for their own path in life.

2020

Acrylic on canvas, white framed

11 4/5 × 11 4/5 × 1 1/2 in

32 × 32 × 5 cm

Private Collection Germany

Roulette Table

The acrylic painting "Roulettetisch" is based on the dome of the Guggenheim Museum in New York. The oval flowing form is composed of fragments in white, gold and yellow, which are characteristic for the painter Veronika Spleiss and suggest the effect of a rotating movement in their curvature. 

The contrast is inherent in the game of roulette itself as well as in its visual representation. Visually, it is the sharp demarcation of the colors of black and white, in roulette it is the game between the momentary win and constant risk of loss. The setting for this event of joy and horror is the gaming table.

2019

Acrylic on Canvas, white framed

15 7/10 × 11 4/5 × 1 1/2 in

42 × 32 × 5 cm

A Helping Hand

The oil painting "A helping hand" subsists, like all works by Veronika Spleiss, on contrast. Striking white, red and golden shapes emerge from the deep black. Each fragment stands on its own, but is assembled from the vacuum, thus creates an interpretative sense for the viewer. The composition is carried by the bordering black. Depending on the strength of the black, the white steps into the foreground or background and, despite its two-dimensionality, the viewer looks into the black depth. 

According to the title, the red hand in the upper half of the work represents the basic element of the painting. The red in the sign of affection and strength visually leads the hand to the centre of the picture - the human being. The surroundings show less red, but all the more bare white surface to fill and put together. However, the sourrounding cannot stand for itself and remains fragmentary.

2018

Oil on canvas, black framed

28 3/10 × 20 1/2 × 1 3/10 in

72 × 52 × 3.2 cm

Blue Embrace

The coloured lithography "Blue Embrace" symbolically shows two people standing on a raised ground. Their embrace is not visible, but is only indicated by the proximity of their bodies. They stand on the blue ground, which, depending on the tilt, gives support to one, then the other. The dark blue as the colour of deep trust and fidelity characterizes this very ground of their togetherness. 

The characteristic style of Veronika Spleiss' works is more subtle in lithography. This is partly due to the artistic process. On a stone slab the drawing is made side-inverted with fat chalk. In several further steps, the stone is pretreated until it is actually printed. The pressure results from the repulsion reaction of water and fat. The result is a coarse-grained texture characteristic of lithography.

2019

Lithography and Gouache, black framed

15 7/10 × 11 4/5 × 1 3/10 in

40 × 30 × 3.2 cm

Red Embrace

The counterpart to the blue embrace is the coloured lithography "Red Embrace". The planographic printing shows two people standing together on a raised ground. Their embrace is not visible, but is only indicated by the proximity of their bodies. The red ground symbolizes the basis of their relationship. Red stands for love, strength and sexuality. 

The characteristic style of Veronika Spleiss' works is more subtle in lithography. This is partly due to the artistic process. On a stone slab the drawing is made side-inverted with fat chalk. In several further steps, the stone is pretreated until it is actually printed. The pressure results from the repulsion reaction of water and fat. The result is a coarse-grained texture characteristic of lithography.

2019

Lithography and Gouache, white framed

15 7/10 × 11 4/5 × 1 3/10 in

40 × 30 × 3.2 cm

Private Collection Switzerland

Building Bridges

Brücken - Bridges, 2019

Acrylic on canvas

50 x 60 x 3,8 cm

Earth

The painting "Earth", painted in acrylic, shows the fragmentation and at the same time the joining together of our world. In the centre of the work is a group of people close to eachother. Each one stands for himself as an individual with his own thoughts and his way of life. The viewer, however, as an outsider, sees people who belong together as a group. The glance at the earth from outside makes them a whole. They belong together and are similar to each other in many ways. Through the black lines they appear to be separated from each other at the same moment. The further the observer's gaze escapes from the centre, the greater the demarcation to the edge of the picture. The elements become smaller and disappear in the black, as if they were lost in the vastness of the earth. This strong contrast of fragmentation and networking is created by the use of black and white. The colours green and ochre stand for nature, the forests and humans as part of nature. Everything is connected and yet the elements are separated.

Erde - Earth, 2019

Acrylic on canvas, black framed

52 x 52 x 3.2 cm

Window

Fenster - Window, 2018

Acrylic on canvas, black framed

12 3/5 × 16 1/2 × 1 3/10 in

32 × 42 × 3.2 cm

Paved Stones

Gepflasterte Steine - Paved Stones, 2018

Acrylic on canvas, black framed

16 1/2 × 32 3/10 × 1 3/10 in

42 × 82 × 3.2 cm