Sven has just recently returned from the United States where he participated in a Portraiture Workshop with Daniel Greene, a world-renowned realist painter.

Before heading to America Sven was exploring the essence of the individual through totally abstract paintings. The paintings completed are an abstract expression of whom we might be and what we desire to create. Without bodily form Sven’s abstract “portraits” question what is at an individual’s center, with what do they connect, what really shapes their experience, what beliefs colour their world and what are they bringing into effect?

His latest works combine the realist view of the physical form of the individual together with an exploration of the essence of the individual in abstract form as a backdrop.

Physical expression is also of great influence in Sven’s work both in subject mater and his physical approach to painting. Life painting and the figure in dance feature frequently in his work. He is currently preparing for grade 6 classical ballet exams, while also learning Argentinean Tango and various Latin dance forms. He diverted his return from America via Cuba to experience the feel and aesthetic of Salsa at its roots.

Classical ballet however features most prominently in his painting. Earlier this year Sven spent time with the Australian Ballet, undertaking a series of sketches, which are now being developed into paintings. Like dance his paintings combine passion, energy and physicality with subtlety and grace.

Sven started painting early. He recollects standing at a red easel at the age of 4 painting a worm and a butterfly. Sven’s childhood passion for painting was strengthened and given formal training, which began in high school, under the guidance of Lindsay Farrell. Lindsay took to coaching Sven’s talents as both an artist and basketball player.

Sven chose the canvas rather than the backboard to express his energy. It didn’t take Sven long to find “The Shed”, where Ray Hugh’s stable of Artists congregated. In addition to his frequent informal visits to The Shed, Robert Morris also ran weekly painting or life classes, which Sven took much pleasure in. He further studied at the Brisbane Institute of Art, where his tutors included Glenn Henderson, Robert Moore, David Henderson, Lucinda Elliot, Sandy Herbert and the late Ruth Propsting. He recounts however his most intense learning to be during his time spent painting with Joe Furlonger, Sally L’Estrange and Ian Smith.

To further his own education, Sven traveled both the Old World and the New. He spent two periods of nine months in Europe and America, visiting and finding inspiration in the early Masters and the innovators of the twentieth century. Face to face meetings with the brushstrokes of Masters have provided him with a firm grounding, a broad repertoire of technique and a keen eye for colour and balance. His works have also developed a strong feel of energy and vibrancy and a taste for perfection.

Like many Artists Sven has done other work to support his passion, from arranging bottles on liquor barn shelves to selecting stones building blue metal walls, appearing in TV commercials and walking the catwalk, disc jockeying, clothing sales and real estate.

Additional study however followed with Sven’s fascination with human form, human behavior and the individual’s pursuit of meaning. He took to the surrounds of the Great Court at the University of Queensland where he studied Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, Sociology and completed a Bachelor and Masters Qualifying in Occupational Therapy. Although his time is spent in large with a paintbrush in hand, he continues to teach anatomy, soft-tissue treatment and workplace injury management.

An intense love affair with colour is evident in all of Sven’s work. There is German expressionistic blood there but also stillness, Zen simplicity, and an acceptance of being. The harmony and balance, which exist in the presence of contrast, give his works and our viewing “sfumato”: a willingness to embrace ambiguity, uncertainty and paradox.

Solo Exhibitions have included:
Brisbane Power House, 2003
Artist’s Residence, Seventh Ave St Lucia, 2004
Patron’s Residence, Chris & Tracey Lowe, 2005
Wiesbaden, Germany, Sponsored by General Motors, 2005
Circle Gallery, West End, 2006
Danish Consulate, 2006.

Sven’s work expresses the joy of possibility, pushing new boundaries and exploring what might be. His paintings are also reflective of a belief in the individual’s and the group’s consciousness to find meaningful answers. The Artist prepares a positive vision of the future. He opens us to an expansive perception of who we are and the possibility of creating what we wish to see.