From 1999 to 2005 (“Lagerfür”) and from 2016 to the present (“Gsechtr”), I attempted to paint the topic of human intra-species violence and the exercise of power. I concluded my work on this topic in the summer of 2025, partly because it was becoming too depressing and partly because I wanted to explore the phenomenon of colour in and of itself.
Of my various painting approaches from 1999 to the present (see “Works”), this now-concluded topic and the one I describe below are the most important to me.
In the area of various philosophical theories of cognition, I position myself between “hypothetical realism” as part of evolutionary cognitive science and so-called “(philosophical) constructivism.”
We cannot understand or explain reality, or partial aspects thereof (entities), that are outside our perception. For example, we do not know what a molecule or a galaxy or a colour outside our perception is.
Based on this understanding, I want to show the colours of pigments. The subject of my paintings continues to be the inexplicable nature of reality, but now based on the example of pigment colours. No other content is meant to be conveyed. The painted pigment colours are entities – they simply exist.
For now, they are small, sketchlike works. Most of the time, the pigments are rubbed with oil (mainly walnut and poppyseed oil). There are opaque specks of pigments, or the non-transparent pigments are thinned out to produce structures. All of the pigments have a lightfastness rating of 8 (or rarely, 7) (wool scale).
Among other things I am interested in historical pigments, especially Maya blue and green, which have fascinating scientific and historical aspects. The diversity of naturally occurring and synthetic pigment colours is fundamentally impressive. At the same time, I am interested in the physiology of vision, the neurology and psychology of sighted organisms such as humans, who feel and have conscious or unconscious thoughts when they see something.
The title of each work consists of an “E” and the chronological work number. The “E” stands for “entity.”
Arthur Jehle, 2025
I have been painting face-like structures for a number of years.
My templates are evolutionary biological and psychological aspects of Homo sapiens, fixed phylogenetic behaviour, often aggressive and power behaviour.
It is not primarily a question of painting physiognomies. It concerns the inherently inexplicable nature of entities – for example, of human existence and behaviour – that are beyond our perception.
In reality, colours do not actually exist. What we perceive are merely electromagnetic waves that trigger chemical reactions in certain cone cell types on the retina, and these trigger electrochemical signals in the brain. This constellation of stimuli generates sentiments as well as conscious and above all unconscious thoughts in the person who looks at the painting.
Structures and colours are tools for investigation and visualisation. Combinations of colours sometimes lead to unexpected feelings and thought experiences.
I use mainly alkyd resin and oil paints.
Arthur Jehle, 2023