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Natural Affection German artist Dagmar
Mathes' paintings mirror her abiding love for the nature and culture of Nepal By A CORRESPONDENT Every artist has his or her own way of
portraying the exquisite combination of nature and religion that Nepal encapsulates.
German artist Dagmar Mathes has used her own techniques in explaining the richness and
significance of the natural and cultural wonders of Nepal. At a recent solo art
exhibition, Mathes brought out the kingdom's magnificent heritage in delightful detail. "Nature represents for me an
inexhaustible source of inspiration — natural phenomena, which provide the observer
with endless possibilities for creating highly diverse compositions and
interpretations," says Mathes. Born in the south-western German city of
Heilbronn, Mathes studied graphic designing in Mannheim and received a masters degree in
fine arts. She also studied art therapy at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Berlin.
Inaugurated by German Ambassador to
Nepal Rudiger Lemp, the exhibition consists of paintings representing a variety of
visions, including that of the famous Bauddhanath Stupa. From mountain rocks to small Buddhist
stupas, one can see a variety of vivid images and ideals in Mathes' works. Her impeccable
choice of colors facilitates a more resplendent description of ordinarily obscure parts of
stupas and mountains. "From 1994 to 2000, I accompanied my
husband on expeditions in such high-lying regions as Dolpo, Mustang and Nubri. During that
time, I naturally came across Tibetan stupas everywhere, and marveled at and photographed
them," said Mathes. "As a motif, the stupa became interesting for in terms of a
built structure that I perceived as being embedded in its natural surroundings." One of the important characteristics of
Mathes' paintings is her use of local materials in displaying a natural asymmetry. She
tries to capture the values of stupas and piece the stupas symbolized in the human mind
and in the wider society. According to Mathes, in Buddhism the stupa
epitomizes the enlightened mind of the Buddha, the realization of emptiness. "As has
been taught in the Heart Sutra: form is emptiness and emptiness is form," she said. In her works, Mathes makes abundant use of
such materials as handmade lokta paper, herbs and seeds of plants. "I allow the
forms, moments and tones ó some of which occur spontaneously, owing to the consistency
and structure of the material — to flow into my composition, and even to be creative
themselves," said Mathes. In Nepal's mountain world, she easily finds
stimulation wherever her gaze turns, whether in a simple stone or the grand landscape of
the Himalayas. Nepal's landscape has long been an inspiration for artists and other
visitors seeking spiritual solace. Mathes believes that the expanse of the landscape as
well as its infinitive diversity opens her inner space. In "Sacred Crystal Mountain in
Dolpo", Mathes depicts the great face of Himalayas using natural colors. She uses an
exquisite combination of blue, white, gray and green to depict the mountains, bring out
the flavor of nature. "While displaying a natural asymmetry,
even a pile of stones, appears to be not different from its surroundings," said
Mathes, explaining the importance of local material. "Thus, the ideas underlying my
pictures often go through many transformations." |
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editor: spotligh@mos.com.np |
