SASKIA THURNER

ARTIST BIO

Saskia Thurner currently lives and works in Germany.

She has a deep passion for painting and drawing. From an early age, she had the opportunity to attend courses with local artists and participate in art classes focusing on different techniques. During her school years, art was her favorite subject, as it made her feel truly understood. In her mid-twenties, she was enrolled at the “Learning Tree Fine Arts Center” in Buffalo, N.Y., USA, where she studied the craft of oil painting in detail.

After returning to Germany, she spent around 17 years inspiring young people to paint and draw in her own studio at her painting school, "ART4kids." During this time, she also participated in various exhibitions in both Germany and the USA and received several awards in the United States.

For several years, due to personal circumstances, she was unable to paint. Life is complex, and following her cancer diagnosis, she slowly began finding her way back to herself—fortunately, rediscovering her love for painting. This journey has felt like a renaissance—her renaissance. The moment she smells the paint, sits at her easel, and faces her canvas, her motifs begin to communicate with her as they take shape. During these moments, she feels deeply connected to herself—it is her own ideal world.

Since then, she has exhibited her work every month in galleries or at art fairs. Her paintings have been featured in various art magazines and online galleries. She aims to present her art to a wide audience and bring joy to people through her work.


ARTIST STATEMENT

My artistic journey is deeply rooted in personal transformation, sparked by a life-altering breast cancer diagnosis. For much of my life, I lived within the constraints of others' expectations and imposed moral frameworks. I always sensed this lack of freedom, but it wasn’t until my second amputation that I fully understood its impact.

During my recovery, painting became both a physical and emotional challenge. Holding a brush for long periods was painful, yet an inner force pushed me to continue. This struggle ignited a profound passion for depicting individuals who embody true inner freedom—unrestrained by external constraints or moral judgment. These figures inspire me with their authenticity and ability to radiate the freedom I had long sought.

Art has become my medium for reclaiming personal liberty. After my final amputation, I made the conscious choice to let go of everything that no longer served me—relationships, expectations, and burdens I had carried for years. Each painting I create marks a milestone in my journey toward liberation, a step along the unfamiliar paths I now walk in search of freedom.

My oil paintings are more than artistic expressions; they are acts of empowerment. Through my work, I seek to inspire reflection on themes of authenticity and liberation, sharing my own evolution while inviting viewers to explore their own. Painting has become a celebration of resilience and a testament to the transformative power of art.