About Anna Grahlmann

Anna Grahlmann (*1979) is an Austrian-German visual artist based in Hamburg.

Studies

• Fine Art: HBK Braunschweig and HfBK Hamburg, Germany (1999-2007)

• English and pedagogics: Universities of Braunschweig and Hamburg (1999-2007)

• Literature and Cultural Studies: (Diploma of Art) University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ (2004)

• Drawing and Painting study programme with Felix Eckardt, Akademie der Bildenden Künste Kolbermoor (2019-2020)

• Mentorship programme with Ruprecht von Kaufmann (since 2021)

Exhibitions, Awards, Residencies (selection)

• 2023 Artlantis Kunstpreis, Kunstverein Bad Homburg

• 2023 Solo show “Ungewiss bleiben”, Galerie 23, Hamburg

• 2023 Solo show “Ich fühle mich so wie Du aussiehst”, Rathaus Wandsbek, Hamburg

• 2023 Group show “Herbstsalon”, Galerie Artlantis, Kunstverein Bad Homburg

• 2023 Group show “PreisGeben”, Xpon-art Gallery, Hamburg

• 2023 Group show “Legt die Waffen nieder auf…”, Rathaus Galerie Steyr, Österreich

• 2023 Group show “Kleine Formate”, TearapART Galerie, Hamburg

• 2023 “The spectator is present” at Artspace Bremerhaven, Bremerhaven

• 2022 Group show “Keine Kunst ist auch keine Lösung, Tearapart Galerie, Hamburg

• 2022 Group Show “Anonyme Zeichner”, HYPC Hamburg Veddel

• 2022 Artist in Residence Stipendium, Salzamt Linz, Österreich

• 2022 “Blackout.News” at Artspace Bremerhaven, Bremerhaven

• 2021 Virtual Artist Residency Cel Del Nord, Catalonia, Online

• 2021 Supernatural Women - Artist Residency programme Cel del Nord, Online

• 2020-2021 Solo show “Schuhplattler”, Alpineum, Hinterstoder, Österreich

• 2020 Theater Osnabrück: Schuhplattler paintings form Stage Design (Director: Mauro de Candia)

• 2020 Solo show with A. Würtinger “Ganz Oben. Mittendrin”, Galerie am Stadtamt, Enns, Österreich

Teaching

• 2023/2024 Kunsthochschule BURG Giebichenstein Halle

• 2010-2022 Gymnasium Grootmoor, Hamburg (Art, English and workshops for teachers)

• 2007-2009 Universität Hamburg (workshops for students)

Artist Statement

“I am interested in human behavior and feelings. I am particularly fascinated by the tension between the need for certainty, orientation and belonging on the one hand and our world, on the other hand, which is characterized by uncertainty, contradictions and change.
The feeling that every understanding is fragmentary, subjective and temporary shows in my surreal imagery, which often works like a metaphor for a personal experience or conflict. 
Abstract-figurative painting, collage and drawing are my preferred fields of work. I always have my sketchbook on me to draw my everyday surroundings. In the studio, I use these sketches to create my paintings with a collage-mindset, through a longer process of painting, destroying motifs and adding new paint and motifs again. 
For me, a workday is successful when my original plan relinquishes control, because other fields of association surprisingly want to take the lead. In the end, an emotional, surreal painting surfaces, which is hard to grasp, but reminiscent of a human experience. Thereby my paintings invite you to experience and embrace uncertainty.”