Galerie Minimal is proud to present a solo exhibition by photographer Natalie Christensen.

The Los Angeles Center for Digital Arts named Natalie Christensen one of the „Ten Photographers to Watch“. After exhibitions in London, New York and Los Angeles, the American photographer and psychotherapist presents her work „The Deconstructed Self“ for the first time in Berlin.

Natalie Christensen finds her motifs in the banal scenes of the periphery of the American Southwest. Fascinated by the unmistakable light and crystal clear air, she composes photographs of suburban everyday life whose symbolism penetrates deeply into the subconscious, evoking stories that are often disturbing, sometimes amusing but always present.

Speaking on The Deconstructed Self, Christensen states: “In 2014 I moved from the state of Kentucky to Santa Fe, New Mexico leaving my lifelong home and my 25-year career as a psychotherapist behind. While it was an exciting moment it was also a time of questioning and reflection.

Like many artists who have come to New Mexico, I was immediately drawn to the distinctive Southwestern light. The beauty of the natural environment is evident to most people; however, my interest was to explore the more banal peripheral landscapes that often go unnoticed by the casual observer. I began by photographing color fields and geometric shapes. I was interested in the way light and shadow could spark complex narratives, and I quickly became aware that these isolated moments in the suburban landscape were rich with metaphor. Closed and open doors, empty parking lots and forgotten swimming pools drew me to a scene; yet it was my reactions to these objects and spaces that elicited interpretation and projection.

As a psychotherapist, I learned the art of asking the question – in many ways these photographs are an extension of that work. The symbols and spaces in my images are an invitation to explore a rich world that is concealed from consciousness. And the scenes are an enticement to contemplate narratives that have no remarkable life or history yet tap into something deeply familiar to our experience; often disturbing, sometimes amusing…unquestionably present.”

The Los Angeles Center for Digital Art named Natalie Christensen as one of “Ten Photographers to Watch”. Christensen’s photography has been exhibited in London, Dusseldorf, New York and Los Angeles. The Royal Photographic Society in the United Kingdom has presented her artwork and a lecture by the artist. As one of five invited photographers for “The National 2018: Best of Contemporary Photography” at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, her work was bestowed the purchase prize and thereby added to the museum’s permanent collection. Collaborative site-specific projects have been put forth by Iconic Standard Vision Billboard, Los Angeles; El Rey Court, Santa Fe; University of New Mexico, Albuquerque and Peckham Levels, London.

Florian Wassily Kazimirski and Fabian Willi Simon have created a place in the heart of Berlin Kreuzberg where people can deal with the topic of minimalism both artistically and philosophically. In addition to regular art exhibitions, various presentations and courses, such as mindfulness workshops and photo walks, are part of the concept. “Minimalism is zeitgeist for us. Considering the challenges of our time, it is a holistic and sustainable approach to be happy with oneself and one’s environment in unison. Our art is the visualization of this idea, which we want to make accessible to the people.” –Florian Wassily Kazimirski