Manuela Berkes

Manuela Berkes was born in Thuringia and studied art there. She worked as an occupational therapist and art therapist for several years before deciding to work as a freelance artist. This time has deeply influenced her view of processes, materials and people and continues to have an impact today. The therapeutic view - open, attentive, exploratory - has changed, but not been lost. It flows into every detail of her work. She now lives and works in Dresden.

Her artistic practice focuses on the representation of everyday things, especially food, in the form of hand-modeled miniatures made of polymer clay. As an autodidact in this medium, she develops detailed objects. Through the minimalist representation in the object frame, the everyday becomes special, the small becomes large and transience is preserved. Each miniature is an invitation to approach the emotional power of food as a carrier of childhood memories, cultural identity and sensual experience.

Manuela's working method is very meditative. Before she forms an object, she studies real food in detail - its surface, consistency, color and structure. The creation process is characterized by mindfulness and appreciation. What is often overlooked in everyday life becomes the central object of contemplation here, because for her there is poetic power in the apparent banality.