Klimas, Alexandra

The Netherlands, 1970

Painter

Alexandra Klimas’ subjects are visually tangible and – if they weren’t paintings – would even be audible. Her models are farm animals, black & white cows being her favorite. Every animal becomes a penetratingly intimate portrait. She paints these animals for a reason. Pets are pampered and adored, but we turn a blind eye on animals meant for the meat industry. She aims to bring these often-overlooked animals to our attention. Will our perception of these animals change? She’s testing this theory.

Alexandra Klimas has had her doubts about the way our society works for years. Our consumption patterns, the overabundance, the overproduction, and the way we treat animals. Also about how farm animals are treated during their short lives and the methods we use to end it. She therefore only visits farmers who take responsible care of their animals and for whom animal welfare is paramount.

Alexandra paints where her heart goes. Realistic, almost life-like. Her models are given names and invite you to an intimate relationship as the spectator; that is precisely her goal. “I am not an activist” she tells us, “I am an artist and I create artworks. Art is meant touch people and give them something to think about. My goal is not to shock. I’m happy when people feel a connected with these “forgotten” animals. Sketching on the farm, I get to know their individual characters personally. I try to paint every animal as life-like as possible and to properly portray its character and emotion.”