Monika Gaber-Hetebrüg studied education and the arts at J.W.Goethe University in Frankfurt and went on to follow a career in education using art as a central source of stimulus and environment for pupils and fellow professionals.
She began to spend more time devoting herself to the pursuit of colour in nature. Using acrylic and collage she developed a style that is both exciting and subtle.
She used her extensive travels to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and Southeast Asia to inspire her lust for colour and light.
It has been her longer stays in Italy and Thailand that have engendered her recent subject matter and style allowing her to use the flora, fauna and culture as a base for her leaps of vision.
Her use of texture and colour creates imagery which is at first extraordinary but also familiar.
On a visit to the museum of Cairo she was enthralled by the kaleidoscopic colours of the jewellery exhibits and these hues have manifested themselves in her recent works.
She explains some of the ideas, inspiration and execution of her work:
“The ‘Recycle suite’ are giving wings to your fantasy. Those who can find giants, faces, figures by watching the clouds will understand and join me in these works”
On the Timepiece suite:
“Time passes, some hours should be held, those which are full of emotions, impressions, happiness or sorrow. My timepieces are a melting of time, colours and feelings.”
On the Aurora Borealis suite:
"You might have observed the aurora borealis at night in polar regions. You will understand why the Cree call the atmospheric light show "The Dance of the Spirits“ I have tried to capture the magic mystery of light and movement in these paintings“.