Visual artist Alexander Bracht has liked drawing since an early age, and developed an admiration for art in the 10th grade when he took art as a main school subject. He then got exposed to the art of Gustav Klimt, Paul Klee, Kandinsky and the modernist painters.
Using acrylic paint because it dries quicker, the artist defines art as something beautiful, enchanting, captivating and promising.
“But it can also be a mirror of the soul, and many souls out there are dark, hateful, depressive and full of loathing and doubt.”
This, Bracht finds “revolting”, but also “highly fascinating” at the same time.
Currently showing at the Namibia Arts Association since 30 March, this is only his second exhibition since his maiden exhibit in 2018.
The artist said he chose the theme ‘War. Depression. Suicide.’ based on his world experiences, which he terms “relentless and violent”.
Elaborating on his exhibition theme, Bracht said humanity is exposed to war, death and destruction every day through the media – social and mainstream.
He describes ‘War’ as one of the fundamental characteristics of humanity, saying since the beginning of time, humans have always felt the urge to wage war against their own kind.
For him, ‘Depression’ is the result of events that took place in someone’s life which left a deep and grim impression, an unhealed scar, not in the body, but in the mind.
‘Suicide’, according to the artist, is the ultimate way to say one can’t or won’t take life pressures anymore. However, it is tormenting the ones who stay behind because they will forever wonder why; even blaming themselves for not seeing the signs.
His message: “Even if many of us live a good and reasonably safe life, there is so much anger, rage, pain and anguish in the world that humanity has created for itself; it cannot, should not be ignored”.
The exhibition closes on Thursday.