Whoever wants to grasp the work of Christa Manz-Dewald must be prepared to embrace both the sensual and the spiritual at the same time - must enter an aesthetic-philosophical sphere, Phenomena, a deeper look, beyond profane object knowledge.
It is precisely the diversity of this artistic work, ranging from classical imagery to innovative installation concepts to our own cultural projects, which directs our attention to the artistic idea behind it, to the underlying ideas or principles as well as to the creative intention of the artist, which seems abstract enough In all these different forms and techniques.
Asian influences are unmistakable: The artist travels to intercultural projects several times in Japan and China (most recently in Hefei), deals with Buddhism and Taoism and learns the Chinese language. Indian ink, traditionally used for drawing and calligraphy, is the medium that combines visual and verbal - a thought that is particularly anchored in the origins of Asian culture.
Whether Chinese, French or Italian, Manz-Dewald is an important means of expression and exchange, for own thoughts and international artists' contacts. Literature inspires her, and series like les traces are concretely presented with text passages.
The pharmacist uses chemical processes, allows photo developers to work in image development and fixes the aesthetic event. A dualism of creating and permitting a harmonious balance between the poles of the spontaneous, the unconscious, the accidental, the intentional, the conscious, or the conceptual.
Development and dialectic are the essence of this art; Image, language, sound, water, light are the media, characterized by intuition and intellect, meditative concentration and cultural communication, as an expression of the inner being and internalization of the exterior.
Excerpt from Dr. Marina Linares, art historian (Cologne, April 2010)