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Show reflects artist’s view of world

ABU DHABI —A painting exhibition by German artist Hans-Joachim Pietrula is currently attracting visitors at the West Wing Gallery of Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

The showpieces are part of a series created specially for this exhibition during the past year.

“I know people portraits are not very much encouraged here, so I’ve concentrated mostly on abstracts of animal representations and scenery,” explained Pietrula for Khaleej Times.

Although he works with different techniques and material, including watercolours, collage, pencil and charcoal drawings, chalk work, mixed techniques in oil of naturalistic, impressionism and abstract styles, on both canvas and valuable hand-made paper, he is only displaying oil on canvas works at his first Abu Dhabi exhibition.

Among Pietrula’s favourite themes are the microcosm and the world of Creation. In fact, many of his works remind of Dante’s Divine Comedy, using strong colour compositions – calm greens, peaceful yellows, bloody reds and deadly blacks.

“These are all impressions of my thoughts and my feelings, the way I see the world around me and imagine the one beyond, explained the artist.”

“Pietrula started painting at an early age, encouraged by his grandfather, who was a church painter on the isle of Rugen, Germany.”

At 15 years, he participated in his first art competition, winning the first prize.

Later, he completed his art studies in Germany and started building up an impressive career.

His works were exhibited throughout Europe and Asia.

Last year he also took part in the Index exhibition in Dubai, where his works were much admired by General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and his wife, Shaikha Salama bint Hamdan. In fact, after this exhibition, Pietrula will return to Dubai, for the November 4, Index exhibition.

On November 14, his paintings will also be displayed in the Four Seasons Gallery in Dubai.

• UAE