In my art, people find an elementary space—an appreciation of their pure being, with all its inadequacies, sensitivities, aggressions, dissatisfactions, joys, contradictions, hatred, and love. As a whole, it represents an ethical position. For me, art is all-encompassing, just as medicine is dedicated to the whole person as an ethical stance. Art can ideally serve as a mirror of being, a deep dive into life. Similarly, medicine strives to create understanding and provide answers that are helpful, therapeutic, and healing. Art not only aims to reflect and represent but also to treat and act as a manifesto for doing good. Both medicine and art are connected in their consideration, action, and responsibility toward life.
From 1994 to 1996, I worked as a civil worker at Psychiatry Wunstorf. During the 15 months I spent there, I encountered a man who made a strong impression on me. I noted his spoken words, which inspired and influenced my artistic work. From 1996 to 1998, I created signboards and figurative paintings on cardboard, paper, and wooden planks. The questions that moved me, both as a person and as an artist, are: How do we humans treat each other? What is important in life? What does empathy mean? What personal space do we give ourselves and others? What is freedom? How can individuality be developed? How can the richness and vastness of each person be cared for and appreciated?
Sascha Windolph
