Gisela Hammer hasn't let go of the topic of "Africa" since a trip to Tanzania.
In her pictures, she stages, among other things, the strength and beauty of African women.
Benediktbeuern – These pictures literally jump at the viewer.
The more than 20 visitors to the exhibition "We just want to live!", which opened in the Center for Environment and Culture (ZUK) on Friday, agreed on this.
Nobody can escape the expressiveness of Gisela Hammer's large-format acrylic paintings.
"The pictures are the interpretation of my experiences and feelings," explains the marketing specialist from Rosenheim, who has dedicated herself to painting since 1996 and currently lives near Ingolstadt and in Mallorca.
Artist Gisela Hammer exhibits at ZUK
She was discovered for the temporary exhibitions at the ZUK by its former director Father Karl Geißinger, who saw one of her works at a friend's house and immediately asked whether Gisela Hammer would exhibit in the Benediktbeuern monastery.
Now the artist is here for the first time - and fascinated by the spatial conditions in the Maierhof: "The perfect environment for my pictures!"
Impressions from Africa, war in Ukraine and escaped Eritreans
The exhibition covers three thematic areas: On the one hand, Hammer shows impressions from Africa, on the other hand a series that deals with the shock of the outbreak of war in Ukraine, and finally pictures that are inspired by reading a book by a young man who, when he was 14 year old fled Eritrea alone and finally found refuge in Munich.
The artist has not let go of the subject of Africa
"I was in Tanzania for the first time in 2006," says Hammer.
"The topic of Africa hasn't let go of me since then." She has taken countless snapshots on numerous trips.
“When I ask for a photo, most of them automatically assume a typical photo pose.
But that's not exactly what I want.” Because Hammer wants to capture the authenticity of the moment.
At home, the artist puts herself back into the situation of the creation
At home, all photos go into the archive.
If she has time, she chooses one and lets herself be transported back to the situation of the creation by looking at it.
“The colors, the smells – it all comes back to me.” Then she puts the photo down and paints her sensations.
"These two here," she says, pointing to a wonderfully touching double portrait of two African women who embody dignity, pride and courage, "they don't exist like this.
But that's not my point at all.” It's more about capturing the strength and beauty of African women themselves.
"Without women, life in Africa would collapse completely."
With a series on the Ukraine war, Hammer processes her horror at what is happening there
The series on the Ukraine war necessarily stands in stark contrast to the content.
Burning houses, wounded people in front of war ruins tell of misery and despair, but there are also moments of hope, like a boy who hugs his rescued little dog.
"With this series, which was created in a very short time, I have come to terms with the horror of what is happening in Ukraine," explains Hammer.
The images, which deal with flight and expulsion, also show both moments of fear and anxiety as well as delicate glimmers of hope: next to half-naked people who are warming themselves by the fire, surrounded by barbed wire and guards with guns, you can see the American soldier who holding a rescued baby in her arms.
Nevertheless, the images of Africa have the strongest impact.
Here comes Hammer's intention,
Further information:
The art exhibition "We only want to live!" can be seen in the hallway of the ZUK adult education (1st floor of the central projection in the Maierhof) until February 26th and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission free.
By Sabine Naher
