Cornelia Baltes (b. 1978, Germany) is known for her paintings and installations that stand on the edge of abstraction and figuration, shifting in turn from one to the other. Corporeal elements such as hands and feet, part of a face, often captured in motion, are combined with bold lines to create shapes and forms that come together to give us a hint of a narrative.
In capturing these moments charged with intensity and dynamicism, Cornelia Baltes invites us in to a world where spontaneity and playfulness give way to subtle details. Her precise technique, and use of highly pigmented black paint, adds depth and contrast to her vibrant colour palette. This interplay creates a sense of lightness while simultaneously conveying the impression of spontaneity.
The sense of urgency and energy in her works conveys a deliberate intentionality. Each of Baltes’ brushstrokes feels purposeful and considered, yet they remain open to interpretation, revealing more with each viewing. By employing a lexicon of imagery that taps into our memories, her work becomes a canvas for personal narratives. It transforms into something intimate and subjective, while remaining accessible and universal, resonating with diverse audiences.
Cornelia Baltes graduated from the Slade School of Fine Art in 2011. She has exhibited in group shows at Kunsthalle Nuremburg (Nuremburg), MOSTYN (Wales), Museum Folkwang (Essen), Museum Kunst Palast Dusseldorf (Dusseldorf) among many others, as well as solo shows including Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Sunderland). In 2019, she was included in a large exhibition spanning Kunstmuseum Bonn, the Museum Wiesbaden, the Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz – Museum Gunzenhauser and Diechtorhallen Hamburg focusing on emerging, German painting. Her practice includes murals and permanent installations, notably at SOSU Silkeborg (Silkeborg).
