Shades of Calw: Christel Kriwan and Ann Stratsaert

As part of the exhibition project "Shades of Calw," artists Christel Kriwan and Ann Stratsaert will jointly showcase their artworks at the Kultur-Apotheke in Calw starting October 12, 2025. Christel Kriwan and Ann Stratsaert present their artworks in the Kultur-Apotheke, where painting and sculpture harmoniously complement each other, bridging the past and present as well as the people of the city. The foundation for Christel Kriwan's artistic work was laid during her training as a graphic designer and her subsequent work as a layout artist in publishing houses in Stuttgart. The native of Calw places people at the center of her artistic creation—whether as nudes, sports motifs in acrylic, or in large-format watercolor portraits created during her travels to Africa. She has also produced artworks in oil, clay, and concrete, but Kriwan's particular passion lies in watercolor painting, which she describes as "the high school of painting": "Watercolor almost forgives nothing due to its technique and is, unlike other painting techniques, hardly correctable. This challenge has always intrigued me." Over the past years, numerous Calw watercolors have emerged as a reflection on her old home, which will also be on display in the upcoming exhibition. Through spontaneous, often dynamic and expressive brushwork, in which she paints with quick strokes and often emphasizes with ink, she has developed a unique, personal style. Belgian artist Ann Stratsaert has lived in Calw since 2021. In 2020, she completed her training as a sculptor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Aarschot (Belgium). Many years prior, she had become familiar with the region through regular holiday stays in Hirsau and was impressed by the scenic beauty and historical buildings. After moving to Calw, she soon had the opportunity to present her work in the newly opened Kultur-Apotheke, quickly connecting with the local art scene. For the current exhibition, Ann Stratsaert has addressed various themes: part of the works belongs to the series "The Visitors of the City," in which she drew inspiration from the sights, particularly the half-timbered houses of Calw. Other figures explore the nature of the surroundings, the forests and hiking trails, significant personal encounters, and aspects of the city's history. All works share a focus on humanity: body language and facial expressions characterize the figures, revealing both individual expressiveness and the character of the city. The exhibition can be viewed during the usual opening hours of the Kultur-Apotheke until November 16, 2025. The exhibition project "Shades of Calw" spans the entire year of 2025 and offers selected artists from Calw the opportunity to present themselves in the form of a solo exhibition.