A Journey Rooted in Faith, Education, and Creativity
Christin Behrend, a Stuttgart-born artist and educator, has devoted her life to a unique fusion of art, spirituality, and education. While she resides and creates in her hometown, her artistic vision transcends borders. She calls her distinctive style “Modern Symbolism Art,” a genre deeply imbued with vibrant imagery and life-affirming messages. At its core, her work is centered on the belief that life is an extraordinary gift, enriched by light, hope, and small, divine moments that appear daily—whether in nature, a child’s innocent smile, or the quiet beauty of a sunrise. For Christin, art is not only a visual experience but also a spiritual language that conveys universal truths about resilience and gratitude.
Beyond her studio, Christin has spent decades teaching at a primary school in Stuttgart, where she integrates art and religious studies into her curriculum. Her daily interactions with children have profoundly shaped her worldview. She marvels at their ability to approach life with unfiltered amazement, learning from their open hearts and boundless creativity. For her, children epitomize the purity and hope she strives to capture in her art. Coupled with her background in theology and her studies at Middlesex University in London, Christin’s art emerges as a deeply personal expression of faith, philosophy, and humanity.
Her journey as an artist was not a planned one but rather a natural evolution. Encouraged by mentors and peers, she eventually shared her work publicly—starting with a debut exhibition in Stuttgart, followed by prominent showcases in Italy. Today, Christin’s work resonates with audiences globally, offering a glimmer of light in a world often clouded by uncertainty.
Christin Behrend: Art as a Language of Emotion
For Christin, art is far more than a pastime or a profession; it is a medium through which she channels emotions and communicates ideas that words often fail to capture. From a young age, she understood art as an alternative language—a silent yet profound way to connect with people. Her fascination with symbolism grew organically, and over time, she developed an experimental yet deeply spiritual style. Christin’s works are often rooted in a universal desire to foster hope and emotional liberation, especially in times of crisis.
Her chosen medium is an intricate combination of acrylic, oil, and watercolor paints, often enriched with gold foil, metal powders, marble dust, and fabric. This multidimensional approach lends her paintings a luminous quality, symbolizing the enduring power of light over darkness. Her recurring motifs, such as the sun, skies, and ladders, emphasize a spiritual journey toward renewal and optimism. In her celebrated piece “Stairway to Heaven,” she uses cracked and roughened textures to symbolize life’s challenges, while the ladder, painted with metallic hues, represents a divine path toward hope and salvation. Similarly, her work “La tua luce scaccia le tenebre” (“Your Light Dispels Darkness”) juxtaposes despair and illumination. The golden cross in the painting radiates light, visibly pushing back against the surrounding shadows of human suffering, war, and injustice.
Christin credits her creative process as a form of meditation. When immersed in her work, she enters a state of deep concentration, processing personal and spiritual reflections. She often paints in quiet, undistracted environments, such as art studios or academies, where she can focus entirely on her craft. For Christin, this act of creation is as much an inner journey as it is an external one—a therapeutic dialogue between her emotions and the canvas.
Inspiration and the Art of Symbolism
Christin’s artistic influences are as diverse as her experiences. Edvard Munch’s emotionally charged pieces, such as “The Scream,” were among her earliest inspirations, guiding her understanding of how emotions can be expressed visually. Yet, while Munch’s work often dwells in the shadows of despair, Christin’s art balances this darkness with a message of hope, mirroring the joy and vibrant symbolism found in Marc Chagall’s paintings. Chagall’s use of radiant colors and spiritual imagery has been particularly influential, encouraging Christin to explore themes of transcendence and spiritual liberation in her own work.
Among female artists, Christin admires Augusta Savage, a trailblazing sculptor and activist who advocated for racial equality during the Harlem Renaissance. Savage’s story resonates deeply with Christin, especially her dual role as an educator and artist. Savage’s unyielding fight for justice and her ability to create beauty in the face of adversity inspire Christin to infuse her art with purpose and courage.
These influences have shaped Christin’s approach to symbolism, which lies at the heart of her practice. Her symbols—light, ladders, crosses—are not merely decorative but are imbued with meaning. They invite viewers to interpret and reflect, offering them a moment of solace or inspiration. Each painting is an open-ended dialogue, designed to leave a lasting emotional imprint.
Christin Behrend: Crafting Hope Through Collective Art
Christin’s vision for the future is as ambitious as it is inclusive. She dreams of spearheading a large-scale collaborative project uniting artists from across the globe. This initiative, centered around the theme of “hope,” would bring together diverse art forms—paintings, sculptures, photography, music, and design—all working toward a singular goal: uplifting audiences with messages of strength, unity, and resilience. In Christin’s words, the project would serve as a reminder that even in challenging times, humanity thrives when it comes together in solidarity.
Her workspace reflects her unique process and artistic aspirations. The combination of marble powder, textiles, gold, and vibrant paints requires a highly adaptable setup, with durable canvases that can support the weight and texture of her materials. Whether working in her home studio or borrowing space in an art academy, Christin’s creative environment is meticulously arranged to foster a meditative flow.
Even as she continues to evolve her craft, Christin remains deeply committed to her mission of creating art that inspires and uplifts. She is steadfast in her belief that art possesses the power to transcend barriers and communicate directly with the human soul. Through her evocative works and ongoing dedication to her community, Christin Behrend continues to shine as a beacon of light and hope in today’s ever-changing world.
