Manuel Kolip, a German artist, explores the intersection of painting and scenography, using mixed media on wood to reflect everyday public spaces. His work focuses on seemingly insignificant details, capturing them in a spontaneous and dynamic manner. His background in stage design and video art informs his approach to composition, adding depth and theatricality to his visual storytelling.
One of his featured works, Feinstaub (Painting on wood, 100×70 cm), highlights Kolip’s method of turning spontaneous photography into paintings. In this piece, the artist presents an abstract yet familiar urban landscape, emphasizing small, overlooked details and juxtaposing formal harmonies with visual breaks. The texture of the mixed media gives the painting depth, evoking both chaos and structure in the world around us. Kolip’s use of wood as a medium allows him to explore new dimensions of space and surface, drawing the viewer into the complexity of his layered compositions.
Manuel Kolip was born in Ravensburg, Germany, and studied scenography at the State Academy of Design in Karlsruhe. He has worked extensively as a freelance stage and costume designer, collaborating with major theaters across Germany and Austria. Alongside his theater work, he has developed a strong portfolio of paintings, which often combine his love for both visual arts and scenography. His work has been featured in numerous theater productions and exhibitions, and he was nominated for Stage Designer of the Year 2020 by Opernwelt magazine.
As a finalist in the category of Painting for the scan.art Emerging Artist Prize 2024, Kolip’s work will be exhibited at the Finalist Exhibition at Bakerhouse Gallery, Graz, Austria, opening to the public on Friday, October 18th, 18:00. His thought-provoking pieces challenge the viewer to find beauty in the everyday and consider the subtle details that often go unnoticed.
To explore more of Manuel Kolip’s unique mixed media works, visit his website at www.manuelkolip.de or his profile on scan.art.
For more information about the scan.art Emerging Artist Prize, visit our website www.scan.art/emergingartistprize
