“Magic Watercolors, The Root of Inspiration” Exhibition Opening Review 

The solo exhibition of Austrian-Icelandic artist Elínborg Jóhannesdóttir Ostermann,  "Magic Watercolors, The Root of Inspiration" recently opened at Winners Gallery. The exhibition is co-hosted by Winners Gallery and the Austrian Cultural Forum Beijing/Austrian Embassy. It showcases 26 representative works by Elínborg Jóhannesdóttir Ostermann, with 5 of them being displayed within the premises of the Austrian Embassy.

The exhibited works in this exhibition demonstrate the diverse facets of Elínborg Jóhannesdóttir Ostermann's artistry. There are landscape paintings inspired by her travels in Iceland, as well as paintings reflecting her experiences and perceptions of life in Austria. With her unique artistic approach, Elínborg Jóhannesdóttir Ostermann seamlessly blends the characteristics of watercolor painting with acrylic painting and mixed-media creations, presenting the magical and wonderful landscapes of Austria and Iceland.

"Magic Watercolors, The Root of Inspiration" is the first collaboration between Winners Gallery and Elínborg Jóhannesdóttir Ostermann. Elínborg was born in Iceland and later settled in Austria, where she has been living in Vienna. After obtaining a biochemistry doctorate, Elínborg Jóhannesdóttir Ostermann entered the pharmaceutical industry, conducting research on new genes related to diseases and exploring antibody drugs for cancer treatment. After stepping back from the frontline of scientific research, Elínborg was captivated by the magic of watercolor painting. She fell in love with the freedom, unpredictability, and imaginative space that watercolor brings. This creative process allows her to have a deeper interaction with the act of painting and also brings more surprises to the viewers. 

In this exhibition, viewers can experience Elínborg Jóhannesdóttir Ostermann's delicate perceptions of Icelandic landscapes and her everyday life in Austria. The gentle brushstrokes and the use of colors characteristic of watercolor transparency bring immense visual enjoyment to the viewers. The exhibition also includes several mixed-media works, adding more artistic possibilities to her painting creations. 

For Elínborg Jóhannesdóttir Ostermann, who is nearing the age of 70, she has always believed that it is never too late to try anything. She believes that as long as one is willing to try and has the courage to break through, regardless of age or profession, even if it takes a little more time, anyone can achieve the desired results. She realized her life's value in pharmaceutical research and is now embarking on her second life through painting creation.

Winners Gallery is honored to collaborate with the Cultural Department of the Austrian Embassy in China and the Embassy of the Republic of Austria to co-host this exhibition. This exhibition not only provides art enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to appreciate Elínborg Jóhannesdóttir Ostermann's works up close but also symbolizes the increasingly close cultural exchanges between China and Austria.

It is worth mentioning that CCTV German Channel has shown great interest in this exhibition and sent a professional team to conduct an exclusive interview with Elínborg Jóhannesdóttir Ostermann and Janice, the curator of Winners Gallery. During the interview, Elínborg shared her creative ideas and the story behind this exhibition, including how she collaborated with Winners Gallery.

As the organizer, Winners Gallery is not only dedicated to showcasing the artistic beauty of Elínborg Jóhannesdóttir Ostermann's artwork to the audience but also aims to further promote cultural interaction between the two countries. On the day of the exhibition, officials from the Austrian Cultural Forum Beijing/Austrian Embassy and Iceland Embassy attended the event and had in-depth discussions with the artist. They highly praised this collaboration and expressed their hope for more opportunities to hold such activities in the future, adding more colors to the deepening friendship between China and Austria.

Exhibition information

Elínborg Jóhannesdóttir Ostermann Solo Exhibition - Magic Watercolors, The Root of Inspiration

Duration：2024.1.28-2024.3.12

Free For Public