A Journey of Self-Discovery and Artistic Identity
Vera Jochum, a self-taught abstract artist based in Germany, has spent years developing her craft outside the confines of formal art education. Her work has been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions both domestically and internationally, solidifying her presence in the contemporary art scene. What sets her practice apart is her deep-rooted connection to personal emotions, experiences, and even chaos, which she seamlessly transforms into captivating visual narratives. For Jochum, art is not just about aesthetics; it is a medium for storytelling. Each painting evolves through a process she describes as “construction and destruction,” with every layer building on the one before it to create an intricate dialogue. This iterative process, filled with experimentation and self-reflection, ensures that each artwork tells a story imbued with meaning and emotion.
Her artistic journey, however, did not begin in a linear fashion. Jochum’s innate urge to create remained dormant for many years, buried under life’s detours and distractions. It was not until 2019, amidst a period of global upheaval during the pandemic, that she fully embraced her calling. The period of isolation and reflection afforded her the clarity to dedicate herself to her art full-time, a decision she has never looked back on. With this renewed focus, her creative vision blossomed, paving the way for a deeply personal style that continues to evolve. Jochum’s narrative is a testament to the power of resilience and self-discovery in the face of uncertainty, shaping not just her career but also the stories her paintings tell.
Stylistically, Jochum aligns closely with abstract expressionism, yet she resists being confined by labels. Her work thrives on textures, shapes, and colors, drawing inspiration from the intricate patterns and fleeting moments of daily life. Her canvases serve as visual diaries, capturing the essence of her thoughts and emotions at a particular moment. In naming each painting, Jochum offers viewers a subtle guide to interpretation, though she ultimately leaves the final meaning up to them. This emphasis on open-ended interaction highlights her belief that art should excite and engage, providing space for individual perspectives.
Vera Jochum: A Practice Rooted in Intuition and Independence
Jochum’s journey as a self-taught artist is defined by her determination to forge a creative path untethered by formal instruction or external influences. From the outset, she chose to learn through exploration and experimentation, eschewing structured lessons in favor of hands-on practice. This decision, though unconventional, has allowed her to cultivate a deeply personal and unfiltered approach to her craft. While she acknowledges that formal training might have made aspects of her journey easier, she values the authenticity and individuality that her self-directed process has brought to her work. For Jochum, this path represents not only a choice but a profound element of her artistic identity.
Her independence extends to her studio practice, where she thrives in a quiet, distraction-free environment. Unlike many artists who find inspiration in music, Jochum views silence as a crucial element of her creative process. Her workspace, complete with a large horizontal worktable, reflects her need for both physical and mental freedom. The table serves as the foundation for her layered, tactile compositions, enabling her to work on canvases in ways that would be impossible on an easel. This setup underscores the hands-on, intuitive nature of her practice, where each layer of paint is added, scraped away, or reworked until it aligns with her artistic vision.
Even in her choice of medium, Jochum demonstrates a deep understanding of what best suits her artistic temperament. Though she began her journey with oil paints and figurative painting, her true passion lies in abstraction—a transition she found both challenging and liberating. Discovering acrylic paint proved transformative, as its quick drying time and versatility aligned perfectly with her dynamic and impatient working style. Despite her primary reliance on acrylics, she occasionally revisits oils, appreciating their enduring quality and the nostalgic connection they hold to her early experiments as an artist.
The Layers of Everyday Inspiration
Jochum draws creative energy from the textures, movements, and stories that permeate daily life. Her work captures these influences in an abstract form, translating mundane observations into rich visual compositions. Whether it is the cracked surface of a sidewalk, the fleeting play of light on a wall, or the subtle interplay of colors in nature, she translates these moments into a textured language of paint. This emphasis on everyday inspiration imbues her work with an accessible quality, allowing viewers to connect with the pieces on a personal level. Each canvas becomes a repository of fragmented thoughts and emotions, forming a kind of visual memoir that is both intimate and universal.
The tactile quality of Jochum’s paintings further invites viewers to explore the physical and emotional layers of her work. Her paintings are not just visual experiences but also evoke a sense of materiality, urging the audience to engage with the textures, patterns, and depth of the composition. This is enhanced by her intentional naming of each piece, which provides a subtle entry point for interpretation while still leaving space for individual meaning. By striking this balance between guidance and ambiguity, Jochum ensures that her work remains dynamic and open-ended.
Above all, her art is driven by the belief that it should provoke curiosity and dialogue. She is less interested in dictating a fixed meaning and more focused on encouraging viewers to find their own stories within her pieces. This openness reflects her broader approach to art as a medium of connection and communication, where the artist’s intentions and the audience’s interpretations coexist in harmony. Through this philosophy, Jochum crafts a body of work that resonates deeply with a diverse range of viewers, transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries.
Vera Jochum: Pushing Boundaries and Embracing Ambition
While Jochum’s current body of work is deeply personal, she is not one to shy away from bold ambitions and new challenges. One of her longstanding aspirations involves creating large-scale paintings, a goal that has been complicated by the physical limitations of her attic studio. The sloped ceilings and lack of expansive wall space have presented logistical hurdles, but Jochum is determined to find creative solutions to make this dream a reality. Her persistence in the face of such challenges underscores her commitment to pushing the boundaries of her practice and continuously evolving as an artist.
For Jochum, the realization of new projects often stems from an innate restlessness and desire to act on inspiration without delay. Rather than dwelling on ideas for extended periods, she prefers to jump headfirst into the creative process, bringing her visions to life with immediacy and passion. This proactive approach reflects her broader philosophy of living and creating in the present, ensuring that her work remains vibrant and responsive to her current state of mind.
Despite her forward momentum, Jochum maintains a deep respect for the artistic process itself. She views each painting as a journey, with its own unique trajectory and challenges. Her willingness to embrace both the successes and setbacks of this journey has been instrumental in shaping her distinctive style. By constantly pushing herself to experiment and innovate, Jochum continues to carve out a space for herself in the contemporary art world, leaving a legacy of work that is as bold and dynamic as the artist herself.
