DoroHofmann

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"In a Diamond"

Oil on canvas

34" x 40"

2007

Lost Icon #2
Oil on canvas

18“ x 24“
2007

Shrine

Oil on canvas, fabric, lights, frame-box
16" x 24"

2007

Lost Icon #3

Oil on canvas

18" x 24"

2007

Doro Hofmann

"Adriana", oil on canvas, 42"x 60", 2007

Artist Statement

From the very beginning of my development as an artist, I always strived to create a narrative within my paintings, collages, frottages (Monotypes), drawings or installations. I decided early on to reflect certain aspects of our lives and constantly developing societies in my work. My goal has been to evoke the sense of a subtle message in people, one that is revelatory of where our society is at that particular moment in time, seen through my personal filter. And further for people to realize that products we buy or images we see in the media, that may seem „normal“ or pedestrian at first glance, upon closer inspection and juxtaposed, may suddenly appear controversial. I want people to feel like a detective when observing my word, initially finding themselves drawn in by the surface appeal, yet then finding themselves momentarily lost in it, and hopefully discovering deeper, more profound meaning within.Often the political or social commentary evolves out of juxtapositions drawn from the glamorous, glitzy world of advertising, the media onslaught, celebrity gossip, fashion and the „branding“ of the world, versus the imagery found in National Geographic or Time magazine. I combine these divergent stories in collage-like oil paintings, reffering to a thought process of Hannah Hoech, a dada-ist, when she built her collages from cut-outs, using strikingly contrasting images in order to open up peoples eyes and their minds.

„Lost Icons“ is a study of iconic structures found in our contemporary times’ (the Madonna-type icon worship); using similiar strategies like icons from throughout the millenia and the unique, ancient status symbols of Byzantine times.

The „holy“ figures of today are the stars and celebrites that Fortune 500 companies use to sell their products. Their ad campaigns apply the same fundamental strategies once adopted by the great religions, namely exploiting every human’s fundamental longing to be happy, and deep-needed desire to be apart of something bigger, or at the least be connected to someone or something of import.

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Artist Bio

1971 born in Stuttgart, Germany

Lives and works in Los Angeles, CA

EDUCATION

1990-1997    Studied and worked in pre-print processing and graphic design

1997-1998    Lived in Paris, France ; attended art seminars, workshops and language learning institutions

1998-1999    Studied at “Freie Kunstschule Stuttgart”, Stuttgart, Germany

1999-2004    Studies Fine Art / Graphics at Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Kuenste, Karlsruhe, Germany. BFA, MFA

2004-2005    Master-Student of
Prof. Franz Ackermann

EXHIBITIONS:

2007

“Then and Now” group show of the members that run Pharmaka, Downtown Los Angeles.

“LA Ethos” that calls LA Artists to define the „Ethos“ of LA Art, at Pharmaka, Downtown Los Angeles.

2006

“Small Wonders” a juried fundraiser to benefit Pharmaka, a non-profit gallery Downtown Los Angeles.

“Die Kunstreihe” at Volksbank Karlsruhe, selected Master students exhibit.

Exhibition of Graduated Students for the Application for the scholarships of the State Baden-Wuerttemberg.

Granted with a Travel Scholarships.

2005

“LA based artist” at Cache Contemporary, in Eagle Rock, CA.

“2x8 - Motion” at Archtecture+Design Museum, Los Angeles , CA.

2004

“Busy Canvas” at Barnsdall Gallery, Barnsdall Art Park, Los Angeles , CA.

2003

“Murals” at Pop-o-Matic, Los Angeles , CA.

Solo show at Slave, Los Angeles , CA.
Art Walk, Don O’Melveny’s Gallery, Los Angeles , CA.

PUBLICATIONS

“Die Kunstreihe”    anual Book of the Volksbank Karlsruhe

“Top05”     2005     anual Book on the Master Students of the Academie in Karlsruhe

“Farbjahr” 2004     Grundmann Verlag Duesseldorf.  (the 3 selected Students of each german Art-Academy)

Gegenwaerts, Heidelberger Kunstverein, 2005; BNN, 2005; URB-Magazine, June 2004; FAZ June 2004; FAZ January 2004

Grants and Programs

2006 Travel Grant of the State Baden-Wuerttemberg

2006 Support Program for extraordinary talented, emerging Artist by Columbus Art Foundation, Ravensburg, Germany