Uwe Hand: Maler/Painter

This book provides an overview of the work of German figurative painter Uwe Hand, presenting a selection of pieces from the 1990s to the present day. Hand's paintings predominantly feature landscapes, people, animals and buildings. Inspired by Dutch still lifes and Baroque painting, Hand creates captivating atmospheres and dramatic compositions with emotional intensity and the use of light and shadow, while avoiding Baroque chiaroscuro. His most important source of inspiration at present is the work of David Lynch, as evidenced by the titles of some of his paintings, such as Twin Peaks (2007), and by Lynch's quote: 'The concept of absurdity is something I am attracted to.' Like Lynch, Hand invites us to embark on an endless journey through a world where reality becomes a dream and dreams become reality. However, the power of Hand's paintings primarily stems from his use of materials different to those used in classical painting, such as sand or concrete. The choice of substrate also plays an important role. The structures of his often very heavy canvases consist of countless layers of paint and materials processed using a variety of techniques and tools, requiring a high level of knowledge, experience, and skill.