IDA DU LAC
It wasn‘t until I was an adult that I realised that I spent more of my childhood in my father‘s graphic design studio, my uncle‘s gilding workshop or in museums than in playgrounds. Scissors, chisels, and Letraset sheets were my toys, whilst paper, cardboard, and linocut sheets were my playgrounds. Uncle Emil‘s white work smock, 'decorated' with scraps of gold leaf, was a royal garment in my imagination.
My style-conscious mother taught me to develop my own taste. We strolled through flea markets together, where I developed an eye for special treasures and combinations. Antiques and vintage furniture have fascinated me ever since. It feels so much more meaningful to give an object a second life than to throw it away. Working organically with these tools has become an oasis for me, a departure from mass production and waste. In a world full of plastic and artificial intelligence, I often long for authenticity, with history and human traces.
During years of supporting artists and promoting existing works, I missed exploring my own feelings and experiences. I reconnected to this through my own work and especially in the process of creating my own art—a dreamlike combination of collecting, crafting, and designing.
In antique and vintage frames, I create collages and abstract art in a minimalist style, inspired by nature, architecture, and a lot of music.
My process is as unconventional as it is dynamic:
I begin with the picture frame, which I draw inspiration from, and then work with various papers, acrylics, ink, and charcoal, but also explore experimental materials such as coffee grounds, pigments from nature, and recycled materials. By layering and superimposing elements, I create depth and space for different associations.
From my collection of antique frames, I assemble groups and create series of abstract works. My approach to creating artworks FOR the frames reflects my ideology of conserving resources and giving forgotten picture frames a new stage. Minimalist forms and harmonious color combinations create a unique interplay of history and the present.