Petra Kaltenbach

Petra Kaltenbach, Born in 1962
Duisburg, Germany
Visual Artist / Sculptor

BIOGRAPHY

Petra Kaltenbach is a multidisciplinary artist, video artist, graphic designer, and curator. She was born in Duisburg, Germany, in 1962.

She began her career in graphic design and later became managing director and partner of an advertising agency in Germany, where she worked from 1991 to 2002.

In 2004, she relocated to Dubai, where the rapid urban and cultural transformation of the city became a defining influence on her artistic development.

In 2015, she transitioned fully into a professional art practice. With a foundation in design, her work naturally expanded into painting and video art, often combining both disciplines. Her practice bridges analog and digital processes, integrating technologies such as QR codes, augmented reality, and digital imaging systems into physical artworks.

Over time, her work has evolved into hybrid forms that merge painting, print, video, and digital media, reflecting her ongoing interest in transformation and contemporary visual communication. She also works with NFT-based and digital art formats as part of her expanding practice.

Since 2019, she has also been active as part of the curatorial team at World Art Dubai.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Petra Kaltenbach’s practice is rooted in perception, intuition, and conscious reflection. She works with visual language as a way of translating inner awareness and lived experience into form.

Her work draws from nature, landscape, and invisible structures, exploring both tangible reality and unseen dimensions. At its core, her practice reflects on the human condition.

Transformation is a central theme throughout her work. It reflects psychological, emotional, and societal change, as well as the human capacity to move beyond limitation toward expansion and clarity.

Her time in Dubai strongly shaped this focus. Observing continuous urban and cultural change led her to explore transformation as both external and internal experience.

She is also deeply engaged with the conditions of contemporary life, particularly hyper-connectivity and digital saturation. Her work reflects on how individuals seek grounding, structure, and stability within an increasingly fragmented and accelerated world.

Structured patterns and rhythmic visual systems often appear in her work as a response to this need for order, balance, and orientation.

A recurring symbol in her practice is the pomegranate. It represents transformation, vitality, and unity between Eastern and Western cultural narratives. It carries associations with love, beauty, abundance, and life force, and functions as a symbol of hope and continuity.

Her work frequently integrates technology as an extension of painting. QR codes connect physical works to moving image, creating layered, expanded viewing experiences. She also uses mirrored surfaces to introduce reflection as both a material and conceptual device, shifting perception and spatial awareness.

More recently, she has incorporated augmented reality, allowing physical works to merge with digital animation and video. This has expanded her practice into hybrid physical-digital environments, including NFT-based works.

She also works extensively with UV printing technology in combination with painting. Digital compositions are printed onto acrylic or other surfaces and combined with hand-applied paint, creating layered works that merge analogue and digital processes.

Her use of colour, structure, and layering creates works that move between clarity and complexity, stability and transformation, reflection and projection.

EXHIBITIONS & PROJECTS (2014–2024)

Petra Kaltenbach has participated in 14 solo exhibitions and 29 group exhibitions internationally between 2014 and 2024.

Her exhibition practice spans the UAE, Europe, and Asia, with recurring participation in major regional fairs and institutions.

Key exhibitions and projects include:

• Ahlam Gallery, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Abu Dhabi, UAE

• Pro Art Gallery, Dubai, UAE

• Gallery Arabesque, UAE

• SICAS – Singapore International Contemporary Art Society, Singapore

• Zee Arts Gallery, UAE

• Cartoon Art Gallery, UAE

• Artforum UAE

• RAKFAF – Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival (2019, 2020, 2021)

She has been a continuous participant at World Art Dubai (2015–2024), presenting solo projects, curated selections, and interdisciplinary works combining painting, digital media, and augmented reality.

She also participated in Art Dubai 2022, marking a key milestone in her regional exhibition history.

2024

• Speaker, RAK-Art Panel Discussion: “Reimagining Creative Expression: The Fusion of Art and Technology”

• Group exhibition, Telling Their Stories, The Design Gallery, Ras Al Khaimah

2023

• Gallery representation begins with Ahlam Gallery, Riyadh

• Launch of sculptural series EVERYBODY’S DARLING

• Art advisor, World Art Dubai

• World Art Dubai – curation, solo exhibition, and ROVE Emerging Artist Prize

• WE_50 Years German–UAE diplomatic art project (commissioned by German Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

• Exhibition, VIP event Art Dubai – WE Project

• BoulevART Festival, Art in Space Gallery, Dubai

• Collaboration with Landmark Group and Emerging Scene (art-commerce project)

2022

• Art Dubai Digital – NFT_LOVE LETTERS exhibition (MORROW Collective)

• Winner, Web3 Decode Award (Gulf News) – Best Emerging NFT Artist

• Solo exhibition, World Art Dubai (physical + digital AR-integrated works)

• Group exhibition, Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, Dubai

• Al Murraba Art Festival, Ajman Museum

• NFT exhibition with Morrow Collective, Dubai

• Immersive exhibition 316 – Pomegranate, Art in Space Gallery, Dubai

2021

• 50|50 Exhibition, UAE 50th Anniversary group show

• World Art Dubai – solo exhibition + curatorial role

• Development and presentation of AR-integrated Love Letters series

• Participation in NFT and digital art projects with MORROW Collective

• Cultural Visa awarded (Dubai Arts & Culture Authority)

2020

• World Art Dubai – solo exhibition + curation of Emerging Artist Prize

• Planned exhibitions cancelled due to COVID-19

• Development of The Couture of Art (art & fashion collaboration with ROXX Fashion)

2019

• Launch of The Couture of Art fashion-art project

• Curator, World Art Dubai (ongoing role begins)

• Emerging Artist Prize curation and solo exhibition, World Art Dubai

2018

• Solo exhibition, World Art Dubai

• Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Abu Dhabi – group exhibition

• Burj Khalifa video artwork finalist selection

• Canon Sponsorship program collaboration continued

• Award: Best UAE-Resident Artist, World Art Dubai

2017

• Solo exhibition, World Art Dubai (nominated Top 10 UAE artists)

• Burj Khalifa façade video shortlisted

• Canon Sponsorship Program begins (global artist collaboration)

• International exhibitions with Canon (UAE, Egypt, Netherlands)

2016

• Shortlisted, International Emerging Artist Award (IEAA)

• Video art shortlisted for Burj Khalifa façade

• Group exhibitions across Dubai

• Pro Art Gallery collaboration begins

2015

• Solo and group exhibitions, Pro Art Gallery, Dubai

• IEAA group exhibition, Dubai – “Best new discoveries”

• Development of QR-Art system (integration of QR codes with painting and video)

• Transition into full-time artist practice

AWARDS, RECOGNITIONS & PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Winner, Web3 Decode Award (Gulf News) – Best Emerging NFT Artist (2022)

• Best UAE-Resident Artist, World Art Dubai (2018)

• Finalist, World Art Dubai Award

• Shortlisted, International Emerging Artist Award (IEAA, 2016)

• Shortlisted, Burj Khalifa façade video projection (2016–2017)

• Finalist, Burj Khalifa façade video project

• Nominee, IEAA Group Selection (2015)

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Grants, Sponsorships & Institutional Support

• Canon Sponsorship Program (2017–2018)

  • First fine artist globally selected

  • Large-scale print and VIP art commissions (UAE, Egypt, Netherlands)

• Sponsored projects supported by:

  • Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany (Abu Dhabi)

  • German Consulate General (Dubai)

• UAE Cultural Golden Visa (10-year residency), awarded 2021

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Curatorial & Advisory Roles

• Curator, World Art Dubai (2019–present)

• ROVE Emerging Artist Prize – curator

• Art advisor, World Art Dubai (2023)

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Key Interdisciplinary Projects

• The Couture of Art (2019–ongoing)
  Art and fashion collaboration with ROXX Fashion
  Includes wearable art and runway presentations

• WE_50 Years (2022–2023)
  Commissioned by German Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  Celebrating 50 years of Germany–UAE diplomatic relations
  Exhibited in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah

• NFT & Digital Art Projects (2021–present)
  Includes NFT_LOVE LETTERS and AR-integrated painting series

View Petra Kaltenbach's available artworks here