Heliconia Projects proudly presents Beginnings, a captivating duo exhibition that spotlights the vivid works of Petra Schott and Jess Cochrane. This exhibition explores themes of origins, transformation, and the reimagining of identity, inviting visitors to engage with the multifaceted interpretations of inception and renewal. Schott’s lyrical abstraction and Cochrane’s vivid figuration celebrate the transformative power of art, showcasing the continual journey of starting anew.
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” – Seneca
Visit Heliconia Projects at Casa de Campo
Join Heliconia Projects at Casa de Campo from January 17th, for the Beginnings exhibition, where you can immerse yourself in the transformative power of art through the works of Petra Schott and Jess Cochrane. Experience the beauty of new beginnings and the deep interconnections between memory, identity, and creativity.
Jess Cochrane: Exploring Memory and Identity
Jess Cochrane is an Australian artist now based in London, known for her figurative works that juxtapose familiar scenes with themes of shared memory, particularly surrounding motherhood and childhood. Her layered compositions challenge societal conventions of beauty and identity, actively reimagining tradition by placing contemporary life in dialogue with historical narratives.
In Beginnings, Cochrane’s landscape paintings offer a contemplative exploration of the sun and ocean. With their luminous palettes and fluid compositions, these works evoke profound feelings of new beginnings. The sun serves as a universal symbol of renewal, illuminating the ever-shifting tides of the ocean, which represent life’s ceaseless cycles of transformation and growth.
– Holiday activity, 2023
Petra Schott: The Fluidity of Memory and Emotion
Petra Schott is a German artist whose abstract paintings evoke inner landscapes where memory, longing, and intuition converge. Utilizing expressive colors and forms, Schott’s work suggests a fluid process of becoming, blurring the lines between past and present. Her art offers a meditative exploration of life’s transitions, highlighting the idea that every end is a precursor to a new beginning.
In her abstractions displayed in Beginnings, Schott employs bright, expansive hues and layered textures that mirror the sunlight glistening on ocean waves. These elements symbolize renewal and transformation, inviting viewers to experience the cyclical beauty of nature in a deeply personal and meditative manner.
Philosophical Insights: Bachelard’s Influence
The thematic framework of Beginnings resonates with the writings of French philosopher Gaston Bachelard, particularly his influential work, The Poetics of Space. Bachelard’s reflections on imagination and the connections between beginnings, memory, and creativity enrich the exhibition’s context. His idea that “we begin to inhabit our world through poetic images” serves as a lens for understanding the artistic practices of Cochrane and Schott, both rooted in creation and reinterpretation.
About the Artists
Jess Cochrane (b. 1991, Australia) achieved her Bachelor of Visual Arts from the Australian National University. With her work exhibited internationally, including at the Gillian Jason Gallery in London and Saint Cloche Gallery in Sydney, Cochrane’s art bridges fine art and pop culture, often delving into beauty standards, consumerism, and identity.
Petra Schott (b. 1953, Germany) transitioned from a successful legal career to art, having studied at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Hamburg. With her work exhibited extensively across Germany and other European cities, Schott explores memory, transformation, and human connection. Her journey from law to art informs her deeply reflective approach, making her a compelling figure in contemporary European art.
To know more about the exhibition, go here >
