Petra Schott

Petra Schott is a German abstract painter whose art revolves around states of mind, her life as a woman, and memories. After her second law exam, she followed her passion and enrolled in a Fine Arts degree. In 2014, she stopped working in the legal field and has since attracted the attention of national and international galleries, art critics, and collectors. Highly influenced by the works of Cy Twombly, Tracey Emin, and Joan Mitchell, the artist’s work is emotionally charged and invites the viewer into an open space for expression.

In her works, Schott delicately creates colourful representations of nostalgia, freedom, and human relationships. She weaves personal and collective memories into shapes, marks, and lines, creating an abstract language of painting that oscillates between lyrical abstraction and figurative references.

Art curator Nell Cardozo wrote about her: “There is a generous intimacy in Schott’s use of colour that coaxes out a subtle interplay between comfort and longing. Looking into them is like looking into a dream that belongs to some common consciousness.”

Petra Schott regularly exhibits nationally and internationally.


Artist Statement

For this call, I have selected seven works from my series Just Like a Woman, inspired by the Bob Dylan song of the same title. I have always loved this song, but reading the lyrics more closely revealed an ambivalence and underlying sadness that struck me deeply. This discovery led me to question what it means—and what it feels like—to be a woman today.

In these paintings, I seek to honor the song while translating it into my own visual language. The women I portray inhabit their own inner worlds, shaped by memory, desire, and imagination. They appear as strong, self-contained figures, standing alone yet not isolated, facing love and the world with presence and quiet power.


www.petra-schott.de

What initially sparked your interest in art?

My journey with art began as a passive interest, lacking the fervor of true passion. It wasn't until the crucible of my law studies, amid stress, that the transformation occurred. Accustomed to rational problem-solving, I yearned for an outlet detached from analysis and words. The revelation came when I found a forgotten gift, a watercolor set, and immersed myself in the world of color, shapes, and texture—an unadulterated pleasure devoid of the need for explanations or justifications. This newfound tactile and visual language became my solace. I inscribed myself for a Fine Arts degree and since then continue to explore the boundless realms of painting.

What connects your work together and what keeps you creating?

My appetite for painting knows no bounds. Upon completing one artwork, a desire emerges to embark on a fresh creation—distinct in form, color, and canvas. Continuously navigating uncharted territories, my work is bound by the delicate balance between abstract and figurative expressions. Constantly inquisitive, I strive to unveil new avenues for articulating my associations, emotions, and ideas, ensuring that each piece becomes a unique exploration of creative possibilities.

Describe your work using three words.

Freedom - Intuition - Intensity

What are you most proud of as an artist, whether it's a specific moment or who you are as an artist?

Gratitude outweighs pride in my artistic journey. Though I work a lot, I realize that much flows effortlessly to me, if I let my intuition guide me. I embrace the unfolding, allowing my paintings to be less a testimonial of personal achievement and more a reflection of my openness to receive the artistic essence that comes my way; my paintings serve as my means of processing and digesting the nuances of life that envelop me.

If you could be in a two-person exhibition with any artist from history, who would it be and why?

I would love to partake in a two-person exhibition alongside Tracey Emin. Her unabashed honesty, expressive painterly style, and the way she infuses her emotions and life into her works resonate deeply with me. Imagining our paintings engaged in a dialogue, sharing the narratives woven through our distinct yet interconnected artistic expressions, would be an enriching and captivating experience.