Cordula Heuer

Contemporary Art | Oil Painting

As a German painter based in Milan in Italy, I have a lifelong passion for oil painting. Initially, I balanced my career as a management consultant; now, I am focusing entirely on my art.

My artistic journey shows my commitment to painting: in my early twenties, I destroyed all of my art work; in my late twenties, I started painting again, driven by my need to express myself through oil. Having lived in Germany, England, Scotland, Spain, the United States, and for over 20 years in Italy, my travels have influenced my approach to color and my choice of subjects, reflecting a curiosity for places, people and cultures.

Diversity is not a contradiction to me, but a natural and vital part of a complex world. Over the years, I have experimented with many materials and techniques, eventually focusing entirely on oil paint. I am using a mixed palette knife and brush technique; the palette knife adds depth and texture to my paintings, drawing the viewer in. I am continuously exploring various color palettes in a continuous search for light, shading and form.

My visual identity and bold use of color has initially been greatly influenced by German Expressionism and the “Die Brücke” movement. In this period, I am moving rapidly from figurative to abstract painting.

My painting explores different themes: the fragility, friction, and fragmentation of male identity in today’s complex social landscape, as exemplified in the Men on the Run series; exploring of architecture, light, culture and color; finally abstract pieces are a way for me to reset, to explore new ideas, themes, and color combinations with complete freedom, offering a path for creative discovery and renewal.