Gallery owners Kathrin Hartung and Holger Scharf celebrated the third anniversary of their contemporary art gallery KunsTraum with a special exhibition featuring the work of Leipzig photographer Olaf Martens. Located at Brüderstraße 33 in Burg, the gallery has been showcasing contemporary paintings, sculptures, and photography since September 29, 2022.
The gallery regularly organizes rotating exhibitions that highlight the diversity of contemporary art. For their anniversary celebration, the gallery owners invited guests to view photographs by Martens for the first time at their venue. The exhibition marked a significant milestone for the gallery, which has established itself as a cultural hub in the local art community.
Olaf Martens, born in Halle in 1963, studied photography at the Leipzig Academy of Visual Arts from 1985 to 1990. Following his studies, he continued as a master student under renowned photographers Helfried Strauss and W. G. Schröter. Throughout the 1990s, Martens developed a diverse portfolio focusing primarily on fashion, portrait, and art photography.
The accomplished photographer has realized publications and campaigns for international magazines, journals, and agencies throughout his career. His professional experience extends globally, having conducted workshops in major cities including Moscow, Bangkok, Sydney, and Prague. Additionally, Martens served as an instructor at the EFTI International Photography School in Madrid before returning to live and work in Leipzig, where he currently resides.
During the October 9th anniversary event, four of Martens' photographic works took center stage. After welcoming remarks by Kathrin Hartung, co-owner Holger Scharf provided guests with detailed information about the gallery and its history. "We bring art closer to you and offer specially curated exhibitions and events for art enthusiasts, not only in our gallery but also outside, for example in your business premises for your customers," Scharf explained to the assembled guests.
The four Martens photographs were presented using different advanced printing techniques to showcase various artistic possibilities. While one photograph was printed on an acrylic plate, the other three were produced using the innovative Chromaluxe process. This sophisticated technique involves sublimation printing that transfers the image onto an aluminum plate, creating exceptional visual results.
"The result is simply breathtaking with a rich color palette, brilliant colors, strong contrast and sharpness. And the artwork is also protected against scratches and moisture," Scharf described while explaining the advantages of the Chromaluxe process to interested visitors. This technical innovation represents the gallery's commitment to presenting contemporary art using cutting-edge methods.
The Olaf Martens photography exhibition, along with other contemporary artworks, will remain on display at Gallery KunsTraum through November 11th. Art enthusiasts and visitors can view the collection during regular gallery hours, with additional information about opening times and upcoming events available on the gallery's website at https://galerie-kunstraum.com/unternehmen/.
