Kirsten Brandenberg
My Image of Peace: When I wake up tomorrow morning and the miracle has happened, I would first feel it in the peacefulness of the morning. News, conversations, and faces would no longer be marked by fear, mistrust, or stress, but by lightness. On the streets, you’ll hear more laughter, footsteps are slower, and people look at each other with warmth.
Faces of Peace: In my painting, faces from all nations appear as colorful circles – a vibrant, colorful community where everyone is welcome. The circular shape, a symbol of wholeness and perfection, becomes the symbol of humanity here. Instead of individual portraits, the closed symbolism of the circle emphasizes what we have in common: togetherness as an image of peace. The spirals inside the circles signify vibrancy and dynamism in harmony, free from disruption. The bright colors embody the diversity of nations and the differences between people. They show that peace does not arise from uniformity, but from the ability to allow differences to coexist – like in a colorful mosaic. This mosaic appears like a choir of happy and contented faces, looking out at us and inviting us to become part of this community. Peace does not have to remain a utopia, but can exist as a vibrant community – sustained by mutual openness and honesty, visible in an interplay of color, form, and relationships.
Living with ALS through Art: I create my paintings with cheerful colors and the perfect shape of the circle. My intention is to emphasize form and color in a small space. Circles can coexist as a vibrant community – sustained by mutual openness and honesty, visible in a play of color, form, and relationship. To enjoy the little things in life every day and to go through life with open eyes – that is my invitation to the viewer.
Formerly a trained graphic designer, I was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) a few years ago. Now immobile except for my neck and head, I continue to pursue my passion for art despite the disease. Technically, I create the paintings with my eyes using graphics software. The images are digital creations that can be printed on various materials.
“Faces of Peace”, 2025, created with AI and graphics software, digital print on canvas (39x30cm)