Photography: Lucas Christiansen
To coincide with International Women’s Day on 8 March this year, adidas Originals set up XCHANGE Space in Berlin’s Kreuzberg neighbourhood, aiming to encourage young female artists to work together. The XCHANGE project was conceived with the intention to address the under-representation of women in the art industry.
In a series, SLEEK spoke to a selection of the participating artists, including French painter Johanna Dumet. The La Creuse-born artist discussed the impact of folk art on her work, her impressions of the German capital since moving to Berlin, and the impact of the new platform.
On the freedom of her childhood
“I’ve identified as an artist since I was very young. I moved to Berlin in 2012, but I originally come from La Creuse in France. The environment I grew up in as a child, surrounded by nature, made me feel very free, and it is this luxury of freedom that my work often yearns for.”
On the impact of folk art
“I also related a lot to folk art from America, Africa and Asia, so this has influenced my paintings. I am inspired by other artists who make me want to try new techniques and exercise my freedom with oil painting.”
On the beauty of Berlin
“I also believe in exploring the belief that beauty is everywhere in my work—after all Berlin isn’t a beautiful city at first glance, but there is beauty that exists in this ugliness.”
On the adidas XCHANGE platform
“Berlin is now full of emerging contemporary artists, which is great, and the brilliant thing about the XCHANGE project is that it gives us a voice, a place to work and a studio where we can learn from each other. The work I’m going to be presenting is a series of portraits of endangered animals, the aim being to make people aware that our actions are impacting the animal kingdom.”
The health of artists, adidas partners and fellow human beings is a top priority for adidas. In light of the global spread of COVID-19 and the need to protect the adidas family, the team have had to close the XCHANGE space in Kreuzberg until further notice. Even though the studio will remain closed, adidas will continue to support the artists and remains committed to increasing the visibility of women in the art scene by working together.
CREDITS
Photography: Lucas Christiansen
Styling: Leonie Volk
Hair and makeup: Victoria Reuter
Photographer’s assistant: Max Zimmermann