Through layered paintings and installations, Manuela Knaut explores identity, memory, loss and the traces time leaves behind. By incorporating collected fabrics, handwritten notes and discarded objects, she gives forgotten materials a new life, weaving their histories together with her own. Her practice embraces transformation, experimentation and the dialogue between painting, collage and installation. Upcoming projects include an artist residency at an art museum in Cambodia and several international exhibitions.
We’ll be presenting your work again at the Affordable Art Fair Hamburg. What are you most looking forward to?
Hamburg has always been a wonderful place for me to show my work! I have many collectors and clients in the city, and my experiences at the Affordable Art Fair have always been very positive. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new art lovers, and enjoying the wonderful atmosphere. I have always felt very welcome in Hamburg!
Identity, memory, and transformation are central to your art. How do these themes find expression in your work?
My paintings are created through multiple layers, spontaneous gestures, and traces of earlier decisions. I rarely paint over something completely. What lies beneath remains part of the story. For me, painting is an ongoing process of transformation—much like life itself.
Loss, memory, and time play an important role in your work. How do personal experiences influence your artistic exploration of these themes?
Personal experiences inevitably find their way into my work—sometimes consciously, sometimes without me even noticing. In my paintings, these themes tend to appear in a more subtle and hidden way, while they become much more visible and central in my installations. I’m fascinated by how memories change over time, how things disappear, and how they nevertheless leave traces behind. My work often explores precisely this tension between holding on and letting go.
You collect objects and materials that become part of your art. How do you develop new works from them?
I’m passionate about collecting seemingly insignificant things. Old fabrics, handwritten notes, discarded objects, and materials with a story of their own fascinate me. I love giving them a second life and connecting their stories with my own. This creates a special connection between my paintings and installations.
What projects and questions are currently occupying you, and what would you like to explore next?
There are many exciting things ahead! I’m currently working on several large-scale paintings, and in January I’ll begin an artist residency at an art museum in Cambodia. In addition, several major exhibitions, international projects, and elaborate installations are planned. I’m particularly looking forward to further exploring the boundaries between painting, collage, and installation. I enjoy trying new things, challenging myself, and stepping outside my comfort zone. For me, curiosity is what keeps art alive!