Nadja Nafes paintings shift between gesture and concept, between figuration and abstraction. Painted, printed and collaged elements superimpose and form spaces of great depth and transparency. Areas, grids and structures, organic forms – hints and fragments of human, animal, nature and obects remind of well-known but not specifically named things. Unfamiliar colour combinations cause irritation, well-known meets unknown, harmony meets disharmony. Hiding and uncovering – ambiguities which invite and challenge the observer.

Naja Nafe: born 1984 in Tönisvorst, studies at Kunstakademie Düsseldorf with Prof. Katharina Grosse and Prof. Markus Lüpertz. Master student and final certificate/"academy letter".
Freelance artist since 2011, regular exhibition activity both at home and abroad.
2008 Hogan Lovells art award, 1st place; Artist in Residence, Hotel Spaander, Volendam/NL. 2012-2013 atelier scholarship support programme of Lepsien Art Foundation, Düsseldorf.
2014 residence scholarship of Municipal Cultural Department Düsseldorf in Ein Hod/Israel.
Nadja Nafe lives and works in Düsseldorf.

Ohne Titel  | 2014 | Paper and oil on cotton canvas | 50 x 40 cm

Ohne Titel  | 2015 | Paper and oil on cotton canvas | 40 x 30 cm

Ohne Titel  | 2015 | Mixed Media | 50 x 60 cm

Views of the exhibition