Emotional and expressive, seemingly chaotic with a poignant resolution. What Johanna’s art teaches us, is how to flow with the motion, the movements of life, the hands, and the instinct. Nothing is a mistake, when every decision only unveils the next step.

Ramón Beytía L. (Contemporary crafts studio)

My name is Johanna Rafalski, I was born in 1990 in the Southwest of Germany, and I’m an audio-visual artist and communication designer living and working in Bremen, Northern Germany.

Since my childhood, creating has been one of my basic needs I could not live without. When going to the restaurant with my family, it was crucial for me to not forget my “Stiftekorb” (basket of pens). With the tools provided, everybody could be certain that small Johanna was busy and “the peace was held”.

Drawing has always been a way for me to connect with myself, to calm down, to concentrate, and to process my emotions. During the time of course I also discovered other medias like painting, music, video, or sculpturing to use them for transforming inner and outer influences. In my work I usually don’t use models. I observe, internalise, transform and express.

The motion brings emotions to life, back n forth, forth n through, coursing on toward, revealing a finished canvas to behold.

Rui Nacumbize Namagoa

My favourite motive is obviously the face. I never get tired of exploring emotions and finding out how small changes in lines can change the whole facial expression. When I start drawing, I usually don’t think. I trust in my hand and often get surprised myself by the outcome. My pictures express a lot about myself, revealing unconscious states from within my self.

Whilst creating, it’s the movement I deeply enjoy, because for me, movement is life. And when I create, I feel alive.