Body Beauty

Participating artists: Barbara Herzfeld, Tom Kenny, Stefan weber.

Address. Begegnungsstätte Spandauerstr. 2. Berlin-Mitte. 3rd. Floor over the Terrace.

Opening hours: Mo.-Fr. 9-17 o’clock. Visits by previous appointment or during the workshops. For further inquiries please contact   ArtisticResearchEncounters@gmail.com

Body Beauty. Beyond Conventions

Text. Dr. Lily Fürstenow

The exhibition Body Beauty explores the human figure beyond conventional ideals of beauty and investigates the rich spectrum of movement, presence and emotional intensity that the body can reveal about the individual. 

In the works of Tom Kenny the nude becomes a study of form, balance and presence. His figures are shaped through a deep appreciation of the silhouette and the sensual complexity of the human body. The opulent forms are rendered with attention to detail warmth and openness. Kenny’s approach to rendering his sitters draws on the rich art historical tradition e.g. sketches and studies of anatomy from the Renaissance times to later explorations of the body as a vehicle for expression. His works selected for the exhibition are a contemporary interpretation of old masters like Rubens or Titian who in their respective epochs also used to explore the relationship between physical form and inner movements of the soul when representing nudes. Kenny’s reclining and resting figures appear tense, on the move or languid, relaxed and tranquil. They carry a remarkable sense of strength. Stillness here does not suggest passivity; rather, it reveals a quiet intensity and a profound connection between physical presence and emotional power, particularly emphasised by the background colour e.g. dark blue symbolising resilience and cool whereas red would be for excitement and hot.

In the paintings by Barbara Herzfeld colour becomes the primary force through which emotional energy is transmitted. Her compositions appear rough and spontaneous, with their subtle gradations of pinks, blues, greens, and yellows they transform the human figure into an almost magical, surreal presence. The bodies seem to breathe with vitality, their contours and rhythmic dots creating a sense of movement and transformation. Unusual poses give the portrayed the appearance of being captured in a mysterious dance or just suspended between reality and imagination.

The artist’s signature luminous colours and delicate interplay of shadows allow reclining and seated bodies to emerge with extraordinary vividness. Far removed from conventional beauty standards they embody a beauty of their own — one that arises from within, perhaps from a sense of joy, self-acceptance, resilience and the ability to draw strength from one’s inner vitality. Her works recall the emotional intensity of Expressionist painting, e.g. the style reminiscent of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner where colour is not merely descriptive but becomes a language of feeling and psychological states.

Through the dialogue between Tom Kenny’s refined approach to form and Barbara Herzfeld’s expressive exploration of colour, the exhibition reconsiders the meaning of normative beauty standards in contemporary culture. It invites viewers to encounter the human body not as a fixed ideal, but as a constantly evolving source of emotion, movement, and personal expression. It celebrates the diversity of human presence and proposes that true beauty emerges not from conformity, but from the uniqueness that each individual carries within.

In the works of Berlin-based artist Stefan Weber, the human body becomes a vessel of musical expression and emotional affection. His captivating series of female piano players portrays the figure in moments of passionate engagement with the act of performance. Although the sound of the music remains absent, the viewer can almost perceive it through the movement: e.g. the dynamic gestures of the hands striking the keys, and the expressive faces that reveal glimpses of inner emotional upheavals.

Weber’s scenes are remarkable for their vivid atmosphere and attention to the surrounding interiors. Through carefully observed postures, gestures, and facial expressions, the artist reveals the individuality and character of each portrayed figure.

The emotional condition of the sitters is conveyed not only through their physical presence but also through Weber’s subtle use of colour and tonal variations. Warm and delicate shifts in the rendering of the body distinguish moments of tranquillity, concentration, or excitement. The body becomes a visual language through which invisible forces — music, emotion, and personal expression — become evident. His paintings expand the understanding of beauty beyond appearances, presenting the human figure as a source of creativity and passion.

1. Morgan…Pastel & Ink on Paper…18 x 12”…2025

2. Morgan…Pastel on Paper………..18 x 12”…2025

3. Sinead….Pastel & Ink on Paper…18 x 12”…2026

4. Rebecca..Pastel on Paper………..12 x 18”…2025

5. Morgan…Acrylic on Canvas………14 x 11”…2025…

6. Sophia….Pastel on Paper…………18 x 12”…..2025

7. Nancy….Pastel & Ink on Paper……18 x 12”….2026

8. Nancy….Pastel & Ink on Paper……18 x 12”…..2026

9. Morgan…Acrylic on Canvas……….12 x 9”……2025…

10. Sophia..Pastel & Ink on Paper……18 x 12”…2026

11. Sophia….Pastel & Ink on Paper……18 x 12”…2025

12. Morgan…Pastel & Ink on Paper……18 x 12”…2026

13. Monsters..Acrylic on Canvas………20 x 16”…2026…

14. Sophia….Pastel on Paper………….18 x 12”…2025

15. Sinead….Pastel on Paper………….12 x 18”…2026

16. Morgan…Pastel & Ink on Paper…..18 x 12”…2026

17. Sophia….Pastel & Ink on Paper……12 x 18”…2026

18. This jpg is in Lost Sheep (3rd) email as #21

19. Morgan….Pastel on Paper………..18 x 12”……2026

20. Angela…..Pastel on Paper………..18 x 12”……2025

21. Morgan…Pastel & Ink on Paper….18 x 12”……2026