Tales of Transformation – curated by Linda Peitz

In a world shaped by climate change and dwindling resources, artists make these profound shifts—and humanity’s role in them—tangible on an aesthetic level. Their works are more than reflections; they are dynamic narratives that unfold with each viewing, inviting us to experience hope, loss, and the search for new paths in a different way.

Artists have always drawn inspiration from their surroundings—the beauty, brutality, and mysticism of nature. They engage with natural elements not just as resources but as a living, evolving sphere shaped by human actions. Today, the focus is not only on utilizing nature but on the responsibility to protect it, to engage with it mindfully, and to actively contribute to transformation processes toward a climate-neutral society. Our relationship with the environment is undergoing irreversible change, but sustainable transformation also extends to interpersonal relationships. The selected artists give these shifts a voice—powerful, urgent, and evocative. Their works challenge us to shift our perspective and see the world anew.

Agnes Denes (*1931, Hungary) is considered a pioneer of conceptual art that employs scientific methods and explores ecological issues from a philosophical perspective. Her most famous project, Wheatfield, saw her cultivate a field of wheat on an 8,000-square-meter plot in the heart of New York in 1982—highlighting the paradoxes of globalization.

For Antti Laitinen (*1975, Finland), nature—particularly the Finnish landscape—serves as both subject and material. With humor and precision, he examines humanity’s obsession with controlling nature while also questioning his own identity. By physically anchoring himself in the landscape and creating meticulously crafted works, he captures moments of transformation—only for them to ultimately be reclaimed by nature.

The paintings of Iulian Bisericaru (*1987, Romania) also encourage viewers to take a stance on environmental issues—ironically and playfully. Whether depicting the remnants of industrial society or exploring urban planning and resource exploitation, his works invite reflection on the contradictions of modern life.

Alexandra Tretter (*1988, Germany) uses a gentle spiritual approach in her paintings to explore her experiences as an artist, woman, and mother. Her work also delves into natural phenomena, such as herbal medicine. Through symbolic compositions, she captures the ever-shifting boundaries between body, mind, and environment in a vibrant interplay of colors and forms.

For Lydia Blakeley (*1980, England), the digital age offers endless potential for constructed realities. In response to the uncertainty of lockdown and isolation, she viewed landscapes and spaces through cameras and screens, creating paintings and installations that examine speculative realities and artificial environments shaped by global crises.

Nora Lube (*1989, Germany) explores the capitalist narrative of destruction, the dissolution of boundaries between humanity and nature, and her own personal history. Through a fusion of historical traces, linguistic fragments, and remnants of economic and natural landscapes, she creates works whose meanings shift depending on the viewer’s perspective.

Vitalij Frese (*1992, Russia) approaches transformation on a deeply personal level. His work centers on questions of physicality and self-perception. Through fragile ceramic sculptures, he symbolizes the human body as an organic vessel—one that seeks fulfillment and meaning in times of social upheaval.

From concept to final form, these artists explore the many layers and dimensions of change and transformation. They experiment with materials that undergo transformation or craft narratives that challenge our perceptions. In the interplay between material and idea, they create works that urge us to pause—to consider a future that remains unknown and to embrace new, more sustainable paths forward.