Hardly any exhibitions, few sales, no inspiring encounters: the Corona crisis has slowed freelance artists in several ways.
Like Maria Spadt from Hohenpolding.
Hohenpolding
- creative work in times of standstill and ordered retreat: This is not an easy undertaking, neither artistically nor financially.
Many cultural workers who were confronted with unexpected challenges by the corona crisis can tell about this existential dilemma.
The pandemic also left its mark on the restorer and freelance artist Maria Spadt from Großaign near Hohenpolding.
“One and a half years of Corona.
For me, that meant that a lot of events were canceled. ”The painter mainly presents and sells her work in exhibitions and at arts and crafts markets.
"I've always sold well."
In the two corona years there were only two exhibitions for Maria Spadt: in September 2020 in the Erdinger Frauenkircherl and in June 2021 in Dingolfing.
"Both exhibitions were attended much less than usual due to the unusual vernissage and corona-related access restrictions."
The artist normally goes public with four to six events a year.
The pandemic thwarted those plans.
Time and again, event confirmations in the Bavarian region provided a glimmer of hope at short notice.
But due to the current infection situation, they were all canceled in the end.
"That pretty much slowed me down."
It is difficult to work without a goal and a communicative debate, as one experiences in conversations with visitors at exhibitions.
“I need the interaction.
I'm interested in how other people perceive the pictures, ”says Maria Spadt.
In addition, it is an enlightening experience to be able to view one's own work in context in a large exhibition room, which is only possible to a very limited extent at home in one's own four walls.
The painter invests a lot of time and financial resources in her works, some of which are gilded.
"It is demotivating not to be able to show them, but to have to stack them in the warehouse for an indefinite period of time."
The artist compensated for the powerlessness that she experienced during the pandemic, the feeling of being thrown back into her private life, with active work outdoors: “I threw myself into the garden.” Maria Spadt lives with her family in a beautiful house on the heights of Großaign with a magnificent view and lots of nature. Her creative sensitivity is also evident in the design of the large garden with wild, romantic natural niches, enchanted viewing and resting places. Her mother gets tips and support from daughter Anna, who works as a garden designer.
In general, for Maria Spadt, nature is a free space that inspires her to create images that seem to glow from within and develop a three-dimensional effect.
She is a close observer and uses complex procedures to create her work.
The experienced restorer, who studied painting at the Art Academy in Munich, uses old techniques.
With a lengthy, impasto layer structure and engraving technique, even rubbed casein colors and a final polish, the Hohenpoldinger achieved a characteristic spatial and colorful expressiveness.
The energetic 69-year-old laughs: “I have a lot of plans.
I'm still busy for the next 30 years. ”Currently, the artist works mainly in her studio at home and invites everyone interested in art:“ I am happy when someone comes to the workshop. ”You are welcome to make an appointment with her arrange.
More information at www.maria-spadt.de.
BY VRONI VOGEL
