Petra Sittig Photography - Vienna, Austria
Petra Sittig Photography - Photoshoots for Artists and Professionals
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The artist's voice -Podcast

The Artist's voice is a platform for artists to talk about and showcase their form of art. Inviting all artists to express their love for what they do and use this platform to give an insight into their world. All dancers, choreographers, teachers, musicians, singers, composers, creators of art; this is the place to show and tell.

The Artist’s voice

Inspired during the initial COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, my project was sparked by witnessing the struggles of my children, ballet dancers at the Vienna State Opera, unable to practice their craft due to isolation. Initially a small photography endeavor, capturing artists at their windows, it swiftly transformed into a symbol of solidarity for the arts community.

The repercussions of this pandemic will echo throughout the artistic and cultural sectors for years to come. Thus, I felt compelled to shed light on the plight of creative individuals and organizations, advocating for their recognition and support. Through this project, I aimed to amplify artists' voices, offering a platform for their stories and perspectives. If they can't grace the stage, they should still be seen and heard.

Vienna, a bastion of culture, served as a fitting backdrop for my efforts, with its rich artistic heritage and diverse community. I've photographed over 500 artists, including musicians, dancers, and opera stars, alongside ambassadors from various nations, all standing in solidarity with Vienna's artistic community.

The arts, often overlooked, are integral to society's fabric, shaping our collective identity and enriching our lives. They transcend language and borders, offering solace and inspiration in times of turmoil. By spotlighting Vienna's cultural legacy, I hope to instill a greater appreciation for the arts worldwide. Moreover, I've witnessed firsthand the resilience of artists in the face of adversity. Despite canceled performances and financial hardships, their unwavering passion for their craft fuels a newfound creativity. Their optimism is palpable, radiating hope through every photograph.

Through this project, I aim to educate future generations on the importance of the arts, advocating for its integration into education systems worldwide. By nurturing creativity and fostering appreciation for the arts, we can build a more empathetic and harmonious society.Ultimately, my goal is to spark dialogue and action, ensuring that the arts and artists are valued and supported in our modern world. Through interviews with artists globally, I seek to understand their experiences and explore solutions for securing the future of the arts.

In essence, this project is a testament to the resilience and vitality of the human spirit, as embodied by artists around the world. Their stories remind us of the transformative power of art and the boundless possibilities it offers for a brighter future."

 

Thresholds of Being: Leanne Olivier on Art, Myth, and the Feminine

In this conversation, I had the privilege of speaking with Leanne Olivier, a South African artist who makes her home in the vast landscapes of the Kalahari, Northern Cape. Her artistic journey moves through the thresholds of human experience, where stories, symbols, and myths converge. Olivier’s practice lives in these liminal spaces — places of transition, in-between states — where the seen and unseen meet.

Drawing from diverse cultural traditions, ancient mythologies, and spiritual thought, she questions the illusion of certainty and fixedness. Her work often takes shape through the many faces of the archetypal Feminine — a presence that both shifts and dissolves, becoming and unbecoming at once.

In the interview, Olivier reflects on the inspirations that move her and the inner dialogue that unfolds while she works. Her creative process is rooted in collaboration, a ceremonial exchange with those she paints, unfolding within her studio, which she calls her “suburban cave.”

Her figurative realism carries a classical strength, yet her paintings are infused with the raw textures of the earth — clay, hematite, bone meal, ash, mica, and charcoal. These earthly materials are not merely tools, but living metaphors, conduits that call us back to essence, to the primal and the sacred.

Through her words and her art, Leanne Olivier reveals a practice that is at once deeply personal and universally human — a journey into the mysteries of becoming.


https://leanneolivier.com/about


The artist's voicePetra SittigLeanne Olivier, Artist, Paintings, South African Artist