The Bigger Self Mixed Media Painting

This mixed media painting explores personal growth and self-realization through layered textures, abstract forms, and reflective symbolism

Artwork Description

about this Mixed Media Painting

Petra Kaltenbach’s acrylic and UV print on canvas paintings explore transformation through a fusion of traditional and digital media. Inspired by Dubai’s rapid evolution since her move in 2004, Petra developed a unique visual language that reflects personal and societal change.

She merges hand-painted acrylic textures with UV printed digital compositions, creating layered and tactile surfaces. The slightly embossed prints and selective use of varnish add dimension and nuance to each work.

Her innovative technique, recognized by Canon through a sponsorship, reflects her interest in pushing boundaries between painting, technology, and perception. These works invite viewers into a space where materiality and digital presence coexist, evoking both inner and outer transformation.

about the artist

Petra Kaltenbach is a German visual artist, designer, and curator based in Dubai since 2004. She began her career as a graphic designer and later became the managing director and partner of a German advertising agency. In 2015, she fully transitioned into the arts, dedicating herself to painting, video art, and digital media.

Her creative practice blends traditional painting with emerging technologies such as QR codes, NFTs, and augmented reality. Petra often combines acrylic painting with UV printing, using Canon’s Arizona flatbed printer to layer vibrant digital imagery onto her canvases. She also prints on mirrored stainless-steel sheets, adding reflection and dimensionality to her work.

Petra’s art explores themes of transformation, psychological freedom, and human connection in today’s hyper-connected world. Inspired by Dubai’s rapid development, she reflects on the need for roots, structure, and authenticity in modern life. She often integrates symbols like the pomegranate, representing beauty, love, and unity between East and West, as a recurring motif of hope.

Her innovative approach has earned recognition across the region. In 2016, she was shortlisted for the International Emerging Artist Award. Her video art was projected on the Burj Khalifa in 2018, the same year she was named Best UAE Resident Artist at World Art Dubai. She also received a one year sponsorship from Canon and continues to collaborate with the brand.

Since 2019, Petra has served on the curatorial team at WAD. She continues to explore wearable art through projects like The Couture of Art, in partnership with ROXX Fashion. Her work bridges design, technology, and emotional storytelling offering bold, multidimensional artworks rooted in both innovation and soul.

View her collection of available artworks here

copyright

This mixed media painting is one of a kind original therefore, all copyrights and reproduction rights are reserved by the artist.