For GROUP SHOW #19, opening on September 10 as part of Berlin Art Week, artist Paul Schönfelder will take over the guest curation of the “New Perspectives” section.
In the interview, he talks about his own artistic journey, the importance of reflection, underappreciated positions, and his perspective on the current art market. He also gives insights into his new painting series exploring masculinity – and reveals what particularly interests him when selecting artists for “New Perspectives.”
Studying at UdK has helped me to look at my work in a more reflective way and to recognize its value for myself and for others. I used to paint without questioning my work. I often asked myself what right I had to paint. Of course, there was always an almost insatiable intrinsic motivation, but I believe that alone is not enough to call yourself a painter or an artist.
It is still undecided what I will be showing. I’ll follow up with an answer…
Curating gives me the opportunity to give something back. I often work with people who, in my opinion, do not receive enough recognition. There are great works that simply don’t get the attention they deserve.
I also enjoy bringing together people who study at the same university but don’t necessarily interact with one another. Ultimately, I believe that all of these positions can be convincing on a human level, which is very important to me beyond the works themselves.
How do you experience the interplay between your work at UdK and current developments in the art market?
That’s a good question. Honestly, I don’t see much of an interplay, but rather an ambivalent development. Sometimes I am grateful for the current state of the market because I assume that a high point follows a low point. Being in this low point gives me the opportunity to grow and improve without the pressure of expectations.
Overall, I enjoy having the time to figure out what works for me, but I’m also already looking forward to what comes next.
What projects or artistic developments are coming up next for you?
At the moment, I am working on a series of paintings that explores masculinity and men. There are already a number of works dealing with this subject, and I plan to explore it further in the coming semester.
I tend to address my themes quite quickly in my painting, and I want to learn to slow down this process and approach my work more consciously. There is a three-meter-high canvas waiting for me in the studio, which will certainly challenge me at first.
In addition, I am trying to work more on paper and improve my compositional skills.