Edition: January/February 2025, Twenty-Ninth Year, Issue No. 1
Publication Medium: De Kunstkrant
Page: 17
pagina 17, interview Alexandra Klimas
Interview with Alexandra Klimas
‘The white canvas forces me to reflect: what do I want to convey?’
Alexandra Klimas paints ‘everyday’ animals. In her work, she aims to showcase their beauty and strength while also highlighting their vulnerability. Klimas exhibits her art both nationally and internationally, with shows in London and New York. This season, her paintings are traveling across the United States.
How do you start a new piece?
Alexandra Klimas: ,,It feels like stepping into an endless white space, a place where everything is possible, and my thoughts fill the void. A pristine white canvas evokes both promise and responsibility. Before I lay down the first brushstroke, I immerse myself fully in reflection: what do I want to express with this work? The perfectionist in me seeks harmony and balance, while the playful child within craves freedom and intuition. At the same time, I feel a drive to use my work to start a dialogue about how we, as a society, treat the world around us. My paintings are not just a personal expression but also an invitation to pause and reflect on what is often overlooked.”
Do your childhood and background influence your art?
,,Absolutely. My childhood left a lasting impression on who I am and how I work. I was born in 1970 and spent part of my youth on my grandparents’ farm. It was there that I developed a deep love for nature, the landscape, and especially the animals around me.”
You often paint ‘ordinary,’ everyday animals. Can you explain why you choose this focus?
,,Of course. Many of the animals I paint, such as cows, chickens, and birds are often taken for granted in our daily lives or viewed primarily in the context of consumption. Through my paintings, I want to invite people to see these animals from a different perspective—as individuals with their own unique beauty and value. My portraits of farm animals highlight their character, while my depictions of birds encourage viewers to look more closely at these wonderful creatures. ,,In my recent works, the house sparrow has taken on a special role. This bird is on the Red List of the Bird Protection Society because both nesting sites and food sources in urban areas have significantly diminished. With my art, I hope to raise awareness of their fragile position. Although my earlier works predominantly featured farm animals, I now focus increasingly on birds in our gardens and cities. I am also working on a series of paintings depicting expansive cloudscapes.”
How do you translate this connection with animals into your technique and style?
,, I work with oil paint, a medium that allows me to create nuance, depth, and texture. By portraying animals realistically and almost monumentally, I aim to entice the viewer to see them as individuals with intrinsic value.”
Do you have specific plans or dreams for the future?
,,For now, I’m focused on my growth as an artist, with a deep commitment to my craft and a desire to continue touching people with my paintings—wherever in the world they are exhibited.” ,,I’m fortunate to have my work represented by galleries in international art cities such as London (Plus One Gallery) and New York (Rehs). In the Netherlands, I’m represented by Van Loon Galleries in North Brabant, one of the largest galleries in the country. My painting Housesparrow was recently exhibited at the prestigious Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in the United States. From January to May 2025, it will be on display at the Newington-Cropsey Foundation Museum in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, after which it will travel to the Michelson Museum of Art in Texas. Interested individuals can sign up for my newsletter at info@klimas.nl to stay informed about when my work will be exhibited in the Netherlands.”
What do you consider the highlights of your career so far?
,,What touches me most is the connection with my audience. Unlike many other artists, I don’t rely on subsidies or grants. That makes it all the more meaningful when people choose to integrate my work into their lives. It moves me every time someone purchases a painting and, in doing so, takes home a piece of my vision and passion. The support from my audience makes my work possible. Knowing that my art resonates with people will always remain the greatest highlight of my career.”
Alexandra Klimas
London: www.plusonegallery.com
New York: www.rehs.com
Vught: www.vanloongalleries.com
More Information: www.klimas.nl
pagina 17, interview Alexandra Klimas
Source: www.kunstkrant.com
About De Kunstkrant:
De KunstKrant is the information newspaper on visual arts, exhibitions, galleries, and museums. Packed with information about visual art, it is published every two months and distributed throughout the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Every two months, art enthusiasts are updated on current visual art exhibitions through interviews, reviews, news, tips, and a comprehensive exhibition calendar.
