Art on a Postcard International Women’s Day Auction - Curated by Mollie Barnes

About 

Katja Leibenath was born and raised in Germany. She moved to San Francisco, California, in 2001, and started painting in 2007.  

Always looking and deeply noticing, her work is highly responsive to location, her subjects have therefore been distinctively Californian: vast landscapes, contemplative resting figures, and the built environment. Leibenath paints from empathy. Reviewing her extensive body of work, one strongly feels one underlying emotion: “We’re here. We’re in this together. Whatever this is”.  

Leibenath finds great satisfaction in balancing complex color combinations. She  works on many canvases at once, over long periods of time. The struggle is visible in paint buildup and the many colors and textures that show when examining her surfaces in changing light. Her canvases describe a constant exercise in holding on and letting go, and the promise of not trying to be superficially precious. Her subjects often refuse to please the audience, putting awkward above elegant every time. 

Education 

Peter Behrens School of Architecture,  

Düsseldorf, Germany, Dipl ING Interior Architecture, 1995 – 2000 

Leibenath was formally trained as a furniture maker journeyperson in Germany. 

Select Exhibitions/Awards 

Katja Leibenath's paintings are part of about 800 public and private collections internationally. She splits her time between studios in California and Germany. 

Gallery Representation 

Katja Leibenath works independently with art consultants and gallerists worldwide. 

Statement about AOAP Submitted Artworks 

SMALL FIGURES - portraits of nobody in particular. Also: everyone. 

You must not reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell or exploit any works. In doing so, you endanger our relationships with artists, and directly jeopardise the charitable work we do. Anyone found doing so will be subject to legal action.