Press
Enablers of the World
The socio-political art of Christian Autzen
PARNASS, issue #04/2024, by Davood Khazaie
Christian Autzen's art explores profound historical and cultural narratives, drawing on contemporary visual techniques to illuminate themes of identity, transformation and socio-political reflection. His ‘Enablers of the World’ series highlights figures such as Nefertiti, Ludwig van Beethoven and Frida Kahlo, paying tribute to these icons while inviting viewers to rethink the narratives that shape cultural consciousness.
Autzen's work is in line with the ideas of Wendy Steiner, explained in the article ‘Intertextuality in Painting’, where visual art becomes a ‘hyper-semantic’ text that captures multi-layered moments of perception. This can be seen in his painting ‘Priceless Beauty’, which honours Nefertiti and explores aesthetic ideals and cultural heritage. Through the use of metallic colours and striking blue-orange contrasts, Autzen emphasises her mystique and timeless beauty. Symbols such as the ankh interwoven with a dollar sign suggest the connection between beauty and commercial value and encourage reflection on cultural identity and the commercialisation of art.
Technically, Autzen relies on bold colour contrasts and a mixture of matt and glossy surfaces that enhance the emotional impact of his motifs. Materials such as rust, patina and gold leaf lend his works a tactile dimension reminiscent of the multi-layered symbolism of influences such as Nicola Samori and Gustav Klimt.
Autzen's works go beyond visual appeal and invite us to reflect on the role of art in society. His works are immersive explorations of human experience and embody his view of paintings as autonomous texts that inspire reflection and dialogue.
Christian Autzen
Dialogue with history: a canvas of continuities
EWA’s PLACE, issue #08/2024, by Davood Khazaie
Christian Autzen ́s art deeply explores historical and cultural narratives through contemporary visual art. In his ‘Enablers of the World’ series, he weaves themes of history, identity and transformation into compelling artworks. Each work honours iconic figures and moments while stimulating deeper socio-political and philosophical discussions.
Autzen ́s subjects - such as Frida Kahlo, Joseph Beuys and the Statue of Liberty - reflect his diverse interests and reverence for historical influences and personal struggles. His work resonates with respect for the past while maintaining relevance to the present and challenging the viewer to rethink cultural narratives.
Technically, Autzen ́s work is characterised by bold colours and textures, contrasting matte and glossy surfaces to emphasise form and emotional weight. The use of unconventional materials such as rust, patina and gold leaf adds a tactile dimension to his works, making the art a physical and visual encounter.
Autzen ́s art combines narrative depth, technical skill and thematic breadth, making his work significant in contemporary art discourse and engaging the viewer in the evolving dialogue about human identity.