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ABOUT

KERSTIN KUBALEK

Compositions of color surfaces and shapes with unusual materials and special techniques.


'I experiment with Japanese paper, paint and wax. The fascination lies in creating something new with old techniques. The method requires calm and continuity. Through the sensitive use of color and material, I want to create pictures of timeless quality'.


Kerstin Kubalek is an artist born in 1969 in Bendorf am Rhein, Germany, who lives and works in Switzerland.

She studied fashion design at the Trier University of Applied Sciences and worked for companies in Germany and Asia for many years.


After moving to Ermatingen, Switzerland, she initially started as an illustrator and has been a freelance artist since 2018.

Trips to Asia, especially to Japan, have influenced her sense of aesthetics. Until now she is fascinated by the symbiosis of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology.


Her art is particularly characterized by her joy of experimenting with colortones and unusual materials.

Kubalek begins with areas of pigment and ink on Japanese paper (Washi), which she then develops further digitally. These works are printed on FineArt paper, coated with several layers of melted wax and finally polished. This process is a calm, meditative act, transforming her work into timeless compositions with an intense luminosity and sculptural effect.


Kerstin Kubalek is a member of AUTILLUS, the Swiss Association of Children’s and Young People’s Book Creators.


Please find further information on exhibitions on the LAKESIDE GALLERY Zug website and in KUNSTBULLETIN, Switzerland's artmagazine, link below.


at work with Kerstin

BORN
  • Bendorf am Rhein, Germany - 1969
EDUCATION
  • SKDZ School of Art and Design Zurich, CH, Illustration seminar - 2017
  • Graduated from University of Applied Sciences campus design, Trier, DE - 1993/1998
  • Various courses at the European Art Academy Trier, DE
  • Tailoring Apprenticeship at ‘LORE LANG Couture’ Düsseldorf, DE - 1989/1992
  • Highschool Graduation Gymnasium Bendorf am Rhein, DE - 1989
AWARDS AND PRISES
  • 'GRENZLAND‘ Kerstin Kubalek & Christoph Laib - Contribution from the City of Kreuzlingen, 2020
  • 1st prize from the City of Kreuzlingen, Art in public space, CH / Sculpture  ‘FINDLING schwebend’  Kerstin Kubalek & Eva Pisana - 2019 
  • 1st prize children's book illustration OE 34 / Imprint Friedrich Oetingerverlag Hamburg, Anna Schindler & Kerstin Kubalek ‘Der Mond im See’ - 2017
  • 1st prize, children's book illustration OE 34 / Imprint Friedrich Oetingerverlag Hamburg, Hanne Boettcher & Kerstin Kubalek ‘Stille Post für Fräulein Samstag’ - 2016
  • 3rd prize, children's book illustration OE 34 / Imprint Friedrich Oetingerverlag Hamburg, Gundi Herget & Kerstin Kubalek  ‘König Böhnchen’ - 2016
EXHIBITIONS & CAMPAIGNS
  • ‘MURMUR FORTIS’ Marina Hauser & Kerstin Kubalek, Lakeside Gallery Zug, CH - 2024 
  • Affordable ARTFAIR Hamburg with Lakeside Gallery, DE - 2024
  • Affordable ARTFAIR Hamburg with Lakeside Gallery, DE - 2023
  • ‘GLOW’ Katrin Odermatt & Kerstin Kubalek, Lakeside Gallery, Zug, CH - 2022
  • Affordable ARTFAIR Hamburg with Lakeside Gallery, DE - 2022
  • ‘HOPE’ Lichtblicke in Farbe, Solo Show, Lakeside Gallery Unterägeri, CH - 2021
  • ‘FINDLING schwebend’ with Eva Pisana. Art in public space, Kreuzlingen, CH - 2019
  • Leipzig Bookfair, Ellermann Verlag, DE - 2018
  • Live drawing and workshops, Thurgau/Appenzell, CH - 2018
  • Frankfurter Book Fair, Oetinger Verlagsgruppe, DE - 2017
  • ABRAXAS Literature Festival Zug, Autillus Association, CH - 2017
  • ‘HINTER DEN KULISSEN’,  Napoleon Museum Arenenberg, Salenstein CH - 2012
  • Jury member for Marc Cain ‘FEELING AWARD’, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerpen, BE - 2005 
  • Group Exhibition European Academy of Fine Arts Trier, DE - 1995
PUBLICATIONS & RELEASES
  • ART'S COOL, Podcast Episode 64, ‘Findling schwebend’, Art in public space - 2023
  • ‘GRENZLAND’ Kerstin Kubalek & Christoph Laib - 2020, Exhibition catalog, ISBN 978-3-03899-746-7, ARTBOX Group GmbH Zug, CH
  • ‘DER MOND IM SEE’, Anna Schindler & Kerstin Kubalek, ISBN 978-3-7707-0141-4, Ellermann Verlag Hamburg, DE - 2018
  • ‘STILLE POST FÜR FRÄULEIN SAMSTAG’, Hanne Böttcher & Kerstin Kubalek, ISBN 978-3-95882-103-3, OE34, Imprint Friedrich Oetinger Verlag Hamburg, DE- 2017
  • ‘WIE KÖNIG BÖHNCHEN DIE WAHRHAFT WÜTENDE PRINZESSIN RIKIKI FAND’, Gundi Herget & Kerstin Kubalek, ISBN 978-3-95882106-4, Imprint Oetinger Hamburg, DE - 2016   
  • Veröffentlichungen in Magazinen für MARCCAIN, LAUREL, JOOP, IQ Berlin
RELATED EXPERIENCE
  • Freelance Artist, since 2018 
  • Freelance Illustrator for fashion companies and publishers such as JOOP, IQ Berlin and Friedrich Oetinger Verlag, Hamburg, DE - 2012/2018
  • Designerin Womenswear for MARCCAIN, Bodelshausen and LAUREL, München, DE - 1999/2010
LINKS