THE REVELATION

Panama City, a Sunday in 2018.
Up to my neck in work for a pharmaceutical giant, I was invited by French friend, Gaby, to collaborate on a revisualised version of Diego’s Rivera painting, Flower festival.
The experience for me was a revelation, leading to a turning point in my life.
I immediately bought my own canvas and artist materials, and started following this new found passion for painting.

Painting on Sunday afternoon at Gaby’s loft

ROOTS

My name is Georges Köhnen. Born in 1990, I rather slowly followed in my mother’s footsteps. My mom was a painter, sculpter, and teacher of fine arts. As a kid, she used to say that I had the gift of creativity. Highly rational by nature, it took me more than twenty-five years to believe her…

Pascale Köhnen, the other artist of the family

INFLUENCE & STYLE

If I had to define myself, I would definitely say I’m a globetrotter. Particularly attracted to Latin cultures, my art is strongly based on my experiences around Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Martinique. I was deeply moved while visiting La Casa Azul of Frida Kahlo during my university exchange to Mexico in 2012. Mexican culture is omnipresent in my work, whether in the representation of animals which can remind us Otomi art or in the resemblance of my characters with certain Aztec deities as they are represented in Mesoamerican manuscripts.

My art includes a cheerful palette full of colors which is probably a reflect of my personality. Various topics can be covered in my paintings as experiences from my personal life as well as hot topics.

I think it is difficult to attribute an artistic movement to me. Some of you will immediately think about surrealism while others will better see a touch of art brut or even pop art. My work has also been touched by the genius souls of Picasso, Miro, Klee, Matisse, Dubuffet, Calder, Le Corbusier and even Basquiat. In spite of such classic influences, my style is also modern. Spontaneous lines, candid and innocent expression, but mature and reflexive themes, my lines overlap and merge, giving free rein to the imagination of the beholder.

SUPPORTS AND TECHNIQUE

I particularly enjoy creating large paintings (the standard size of my artworks is 120x 90cm), which allows me to explode creativity across a surface. I started painting on burlap, before gradually evolving towards a wooden support (wood panels and MDF) and more recently linen canvas. Acrylic paint also allows for spontaneous execution of my vision.

My very first paintings on burlap

THE PROJECT

After graduating in 2012 with a Master of International Business, I worked in the logistics field for almost 8 years. In a global health crisis, with an uncertain professional career due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve seen an opportunity to fully dedicate myself to painting, giving me a whole new sense of purpose. I decided to return to Mexico at the end of 2020 where I created my first series of paintings entitled “Mexico”. It was also here that I found my artist name – Pinamar.