Recent Art Critics
("Ulla Wobst, Curtained Truths", edited and published By ICAC, International Confederation of Art Critics, London, 2016)
Dreamscapes of Genuine Passions
Elena Foschi, Art Historian
Faraway worlds, archaic myths, mystic legends, literary icons and ancient cultures are the protagonists of Ulla Wobst‘s creative expression. On the one hand, this visionary artist keeps us encircled by a magical spell saturated with surreal metaphors; on the other hand she meticulously depicts an enthralling plot of contemporary life, portraits of modern human relationships in habitual frenetic 21st Century scenarios. A sequence of dramatic events, souls driven by primordial passions and ferocious emotions conveyed by each brushstroke. ( I. c., p.: 13)...
... In that precise instant, we understand Ulla's strongest ability: these stories are not merely memories to appreciate aesthetically and admire with deference but tangible links between the symbolism of myth and our subconscious. Therefore each narrative becomes inspiration that feeds the fire of our curiosity and extends ancient wisdoms and modern awareness in an avantgarde didactic interpretation of timeless paradigms (I.c., p.: 159.)
Metaphors of Timeless Poetries
Christopher Rosewood, Art Historian and Art Critic
Ulla Wobst is an artist who cannot be categorised into one delimited artistic movement. By definition, Wobst‘s paintings go beyond the boundaries of established art currents and styles: her creations are universal symbols, paradigms of human feelings, enriched by a magical realism that culminates in an evocative expressionism.
Ulla Wobst‘s conceptions radiate immeasurable aspects of Art History, therefore soli-difying her status as a mature and experienced artist. The viewer is touched spiritually while the art historian enjoys a juxtaposition of ideas and influences that range from Magritte, De Chirico to Bacon and Dali.
Surrealism and the art of the mind is a fundamental pillar for Ulla Wobst who uses pain-ting as a means to communicate the enigmatic paradox of the rational, human, spiritual and instinctive facets of her being. Wobst narrates and explains in a visual language infinitely deeper than any written word. Her dialogue is conducted with an unnamed mystical being, some form of divine presence or maybe directly with the soul. She contests, defines, explains and explores what lies beneath the superficial facades of contemporary life with a romantic awareness of times past.
Ulla‘s work could also be defined as Metaphysical Art in its focus on representations that glorify a poetic interpretation; alternatively her art could be construed as Symbolism with rich emphasis placed on mythology that is reborn in the form of subliminal messages as characters are timeless albeit contemporary as they share our daily satisfactions and afflictions.
Silent and mysterious places are transformed into theatrical settings, in which the emotional essence of mankind is conveyed, portrayed and captured.
One can also clearly perceive Ulla‘s academic and intellectual background in the observation of her paintings: from the tragic love of Orpheus and Eurydice to Per-sephone, Queen of the Underworld; from the adventures of Odysseus to the Grimm Brothers‘ tale of ,Jorinde and Joringel.
Wobst‘s work has a complex resemblance to a parallel world made of allegorical and fantastic imagery. The metaphors used by Ulla are not the familiar of mainstream iconography but intensely personal, private, obscure and ambiguous. With the same communicative power as the emotional subjects depicted by Frida Kahlo, Ulla surpasses the boundaries of Symbolism, by eloquently merging Great Literature with the aspects of the precious golden fables painted by Gustav Klimt. Inspired by Byzantine imagery, Ulla gives life to stunning mosaic-like compositions with a vision that is more a philosophy than a mere artistic style ( I.c. , pp.: 33 -35 ).
Artwork Analysis
Timothy Warrington, Art Critic
Many of Wobst‘s paintings draw inspiration from her erudite and profound studies of philology, literature and art history and in each representation she is gifted with the ability to transmit powerful emotions. In her theatrical canvases, Ulla‘s passion is clearly perceivable in the same way her innate meticulous artistic planning is evident.
She conquers the poetic soul of the ideas expressed and is able to envision and com-municate deep feelings and thoughts. The unification of the cultural and spiritual facets of Ulla‘s mind results in fascinating works, such as Courageous Departure, in which Ulla interprets her philosophical vision with majestic contrasts between pure shades of colour and surreal characters floating over metaphysical landscapes. A vivid dark sky gives strength to the marvelous composition and becomes an evocative protagonist of the painting as much as the cryptic fish and the skeletal outline depicted.
Ulla proves to be a determined and unique creative force in her exploration of the innermost permutations of the human condition, represented as an inscrutable entanglement of emotional and rational conundrums. The artist poses questions: ”Where do we come from, why are we here and where will we go...” that reinforce the deep philosophical roots that lead to the complex and and expressive manifestations of Ulla‘s mind‘s eye. The inclusion of extremely powerful shades of red adds intense mystery as well as evokes fabulous imagery and profound meditation.
Ulla‘s diverse creativity and eclectic visions are thought provoking and a source for self-analysis. Each painting shows her skill, the mastery of her brushwork and her absolutely explosive drive, making Ulla one of the most interesting painters of our generation. (I.c., p.61).
