An eye for transformation art

German Petra Kaltenbach combines technology and natural elements to create fine art

Breathing new life into the world of visual art, Petra Kaltenbach, who specialises in Fine Arts, created QR_ART in 2004. Kaltenbach has honed skills as a video artist, graphic designer, energetic healer and holds a Master's degree with honours in Visual Communication at FH Duesseldorf, Germany.
Prior to walking down the artist aisle, she had lead an advertising agency for 20 years, serving international clients, before settling with her family in Dubai to follow her true passion.
QR_ART is centred on the core theme of Transformation. Kaltenbach envisioned the concept to express each creation in two different channels, one as patined and one digital. The digital version is directly linked to a QR code. As a communicator, she aimed to bridge the gap between observer and medium of painting, as well as between observer and the medium of video and sound.
With a strong affinity for technology, she deemed it logical to reproduce her designs through QR technology, and continued to explore new ways to intertwine art and technology. In 2016, she indulged in UV printing combined with painting.
For all prints on her paintings, Kaltenbach uses 'Arizona', a state-of-the-art printing machine from Canon / Oce. Among a series of accolades, the artist was shortlisted by the International Emerging Artist Award / IEAA in 2016.
To date, she continues to showcase her art in international exhibits and has won some of the art contests, besides being nominated, with one of her videos as one of the best discoveries since the inception of the IEAA. In 2018, her video was accepted to be shown on the facade of Burj Khalifa - the world's biggest screen. In April, World Art Dubai awarded Kaltenbach as 'The best UAE Resident Artist of 2018'. Some of the awarded paintings can be seen here.
Portfolio

IN PROGRESS: The collection describes a series whose goal is to highlight the mix between old and new. Kaltenbach aims to bring the viewer closer to the beauty of the ancient, not just to reflect on the new. The integration between the two creates a special magic and transforms it into an innovative perception. Kaltenbach creates works of art that consist of opposites of old and new elements/patterns, classically painted and high-tech printed, rust and shine, medieval and modern elements, to name a few. 

RAINBOW COLLECTION: The rainbow is a magical symbol of happiness, so is the Pomegranate. Kaltenbach identifies herself as a happiness ambassador and demonstrates this through her use of bright colours, her motifs and pure joy, while experimenting with printing machines. Together with Canon she developed an 'individualised series' of having the same print, but differently painted elements. 

TAMED: Pomegranates on iron: Kaltenbach's art features controlled rust through patterns in order to showcase that artwork is very much alive, as rust continues to grow within the patterns. The collection perfectly expresses Petra's core theme 'Transformation' with a 40x40cm artwork paired with iron, acrylic and rust. The Canon UV printed patterns are set in varnish and framed as three prints per motif. Each artwork looks different as the rust will bloom differently. 
Visit: www.petrakaltenbach.com; for artwork inquiries, WhatsApp: +971 50 873 8672