Marlis Jermutus

"The unique style of Marlis Jermutus (aka "Ma") seems to stand apart from all common categorizing. While her watercolor and oil paintings in the 1970's and early 1980's performed in a more crypto-calligraphic manner (one frequently discovers symbols such as for the DNA molecule or the ancient Indian sign for OM), since the mid 1980's her work became more intuitively based, so that the subject arose from the metaphoric contents by spontaneously materializing in countless sorts of sands, ashes, pigments and even tree leaves and other natural elements, leaving the observer a substantial field for contemplation. Here lies the exceptional delicate power deriving from Jermutus' work. Along with their tremendous vitality they mediate a natural harmony and silence. In addition, her art has a distinctive female voice. It is at the same time both sensitive and confident, imparting a deep spirituality. This strong female expression will no doubt encourage a new generation of women to create their own spiritual expressions in art.

"In a wonderful transcending of any intellectual commentary, the breathtaking use of colour and material in Jermutus' work has attracted enormous respect from the art community."

- Claus Sautter, Art Historian, Hamburg, Germany