The abstract expressionism of Nele Martens

“My last works were on the theme of circles,” says Nele, showing paintings dominated by strong expressive brushstrokes. She explains how she starts with a concept, a theme, and over a long period, sometimes extending to a year, does innumerable drawings and paintings on that theme, over and over again. “The repetition helps find a balance between mind, technique and intuition. In the end, the brushstroke is one concentrated but effortless and fluid movement. It has to be right like that; it cannot be corrected.”

She reflects. “One could say that there is a lot of chaos in the beginning, and that out of that chaos I attempt to produce some order.” She clarifies that her art is not a mental construct but “an interwoven action of the ordered mind and intuitive force, leading to the right colours and stroke and size. Everything then gets its own expressive meaning.” It is a question of allowing something to flow through and make the particular choice and movement, she says.

“You feel and know when a painting is perfect. Those are the moments of true happiness. You can’t recreate it. These are the moments when everything is in its right place, when you feel you have touched a glimpse of truth. Invariably, these paintings will be the first to sell. The public picks up what is behind.”

Nele calls her art ‘abstract expressionism’. “But it’s never the same. I often dream that I go some place and touch something and it transforms itself in a transparent, permeable matter, perfect light and perfect order – everything in its right place, changing always, but keeping the equilibrium. That’s the guiding energy behind my work.”

As if to underline her words, a golden mobile dances in the morning sun, catching and reflecting light throughout her garden. Nele had made it for her mother Rika, who passed away before it was finished. “Light and balance,” she says, “are two of my core tenets.” The third is transparency. Nele has been painting a lot on Plexiglas, which she bends to enhance its light filtering aspects.

At present she experiments with digital art. “The ipad is a wonderful tool. I paint in it, then print the painting in large scale, and then use real paints on the print.” Is it satisfying? She laughs. “It’s a lot of fun, but I’m not yet there. The ipad allows you to paint with light, but once the painting is printed, the transparency is no longer there and opaqueness takes over. I am trying to resolve this by painting the print with acrylic paints or oils. Something very different is emerging out of this, but I am still a beginner here.” Projecting the painting on a wall is another possibility she is working on. “There is an exhibition planned at the Citadines Art Gallery in Auroville. It has a space where such projections would be very much possible,” she says.

Asked about the connection between art and Auroville, Nele replies, “Auroville, for me, is a space to grow. I am in Auroville not because I am an artist, but because I am Nele. I came here out of an inner call and I do art as that is my way of expression. I have the urge to create harmony and beauty and light around me. Spirituality is a difficult word for me – I am on an exploration of connectedness and on a search for something true. And I do that through art which is an expression of an inner offering and aspiration.”

For more information visit www.nelemartens.net