Ute Drescher
Ute Drescher is an artist who expresses herself in a variety of ways. Whether through oil painting, sculpture or installation, this trained architectural draughtswoman from Isny (in the Württemberg Allgäu) is constantly experimenting with new techniques to give form to her thoughts and feelings. Ute has been active since the 1980s and has been working as a freelance artist since 2008. In 2017, she was finally able to start working in her own studio in Isny.
It was pure chance that led to this wonderful collaboration…
VIVANI
Dear Ute, how did you get into art?
Ute Drescher
My artistic exploration began with ceramic objects and collages. Later, I moved on to oil painting, object art and assemblages, followed by photography and video work.
VIVANI
Whether it’s painting, sculpture or photography – your work takes many forms of expression. Do you work with different techniques at the same time, is it all about the subject matter, or do you tend to go through phases where one form takes centre stage?
Ute
I work in phases, using different techniques that are suited to the topic at hand. In my project on dementia, for example, I captured original clippings and objects in the form of installations. With my ‘Mangoplastics’, on the other hand, completion takes a longer period of time because the full range of materials simply isn’t available straight away; the work then has to be put on hold. So it may be that I start another project using a different technique, or perhaps try something completely new.
VIVANI
Where do you get your ideas from? What inspires you?
Ute
As almost all my work has a critical undertone, the themes often arise from current events. It is people and faces in particular that appeal to me.
VIVANI
How would you describe your style? Do you have any particular role models?
Ute
When I first started creating my sculptural works, Louise Bourgeois certainly made a lasting impression on me; her work is incredible. But I’m also influenced by Heidi Bucher and other contemporary female artists.
VIVANI
How did the collaboration with VIVANI come about?
Ute
It was completely unexpected. I contacted VIVANI to ask whether the recipe had been changed, as my favourite chocolate tasted different. After a friendly exchange of emails with one of their staff, we got talking about the artistic packaging design. I then asked if she would take a look at my website and let me know what she thought. That was the start of an unexpectedly fruitful collaboration. In the time that followed, I produced several paintings for VIVANI packaging, for example for the ‘Stracciatella’ variety or the two bars sweetened with dates.
