Atina Rabou is a cologne-based painter, born in 1985 in Germany with a Persian background. After studying and working in marketing, she decided in 2022 to focus completely on her creative development and to work as a full-time artist. Her work leans on the method of tachism as well as lyrical abstraction.
How did you get into art?
In my early 30s, through a slow but intense process. I was pursuing the desire for self-expression, so I started to nurture my creativity again, playfully, consciously, and free from any external expectations or opinions. I allowed my intuition to get hands-on, which led me finally to experiment with abstract painting, which has captivated me from the beginning and changed everything.
How would you describe your style? What makes your work special?
My works are characterized by energetic but also very calm color compositions, which both evoke certain emotions in the painting, enlivening the canvas. It is a harmonious interplay of vibrant and light hues on a natural, unprimed canvas, where colors and marks both stand out and seamlessly merge into one another.
My work thrives through experimentation and my fascination for the natural course of things, resulting in constant evolution. That already makes it very precious to me.
The fact that viewers of my work can experience something very individual and personal with my paintings motivates me extremely. It gets people to pause for a moment and connect with themselves. I love that my work has the power to evoke a sense of peace and wonder while creating enjoyable atmospheres.
How do you go about developing your work?
I play around with colors and think of concepts, but as soon as I get to work, I let my intuition take over and work freely.
Who or what influences you?
I am influenced by many artists and inspirational works, mostly in visual art, poetry, and music, but also, by personal experiences, relationships, atmospheres, and cultures. That's why changing my surroundings and painting in new spaces is important to me, too. New perspectives and atmospheres naturally influence me and my work, which also shows up in colors and techniques.
Make us curious. What is planned next?
I just concluded my self-organized solo exhibition in Cologne, "Waves, through mind and soul," where I showcased works from this year, including a collection that I've painted on Bali. Right now, my focus is on publications and making my art accessible, as well as more exhibitions and collaborations in the coming weeks. Still, I am looking forward to getting back to my studio to create new works and realize new projects. My first limited print edition is also in the pipeline, which I'm very excited about.
Instagram
