My drawings reflect what I experience, think, and believe. Constantly aiming to enter into a flow state of creation, the act of drawing becomes a ritual in which I manifest my encounters through my hands. The results are multiple variations of drawings that shift between abstract and figurative forms, between the known and the unknown. They always entail playfulness and curiosity, wilderness and tranquility. Each individual drawing exhibits a unique appearance. In endless constellations, they form my own fabricated calligraphy. The ever-growing archive of my illustrations has developed its own language and meaning, dissolving into multiple narratives in various mediums such as installations, performances, animations, publications, and workshops. Hoping to leave a trace on earth, my drawings strive to carry the marvellous colours of life, granting joy and appreciation. Tobias Gutmann

At the heart of Tobias Gutmann’s artistic practice lies the creation and investigation of encounters – between people, cultures, and environments, but also between what we perceive on the outside and what we feel on the inside. Born in Papua New Guinea, he grew up experiencing how different languages and ethnical backgrounds are not a hindrance for people to come together, but rather allow them to have a deeper understanding of one another. In seeing the other, we also reevaluate our own.