The abstract acrylic and oil paintings by Tomma Abts are often the product of a lengthy painting process. The strict geometric compositions of the works do not refer to something seen, but develop from the logic of the multiple superimposed layers of colour. Nevertheless, figurative approximations can be recognised, such as mask-like faces, architectural constructs and ornamental graphic structures. This artist's work is a balancing act, because for her the painting must succeed: each detail and each form participates in an internal drama where movement, light, and shimmering fore- and backgrounds play an important role. Although the paintings exhibit features of a series due to their identical forms and repetitive geometric elements, they are always individual works. This particular quality is underscored by the enigmatic titles, such as Obbe, Noene or Ert, which are related to first names in a foreign language. Tomma Abts selects the titles from a book of Friesian first names: in doing so she tries to make a link between the image and the name. At the same time this act of naming gives the work a strongly individual, portrait-like character.
Tomma Abts biography (PDF)
|
