An essential characteristic of the work of Ellie Munten is the interaction between the human inside and the outside. For years her attention is consistently focused on researching spiritual/psychological and physical/practical aspects within the works of art. Through her paintings in particular Ellie Munten invites the viewer to explore the unknown and offers the opportunity to discover profound layers. So the artist develops colored poetic images on canvas, which move in principle, on the border between abstraction and figuration. The paintings of Ellie Munten encourage the completion of the current situation, where it appears that a decisive influence is caused by the individual mood or attitude of the observer. The vagueness, and the contradiction of the interpretation are discussed as a paradox, whereby the selected titles underline the freedom of decision. Munten deliberately avoids an unambiguous interpretation, to give the works their secrets. She follows in this case the thoughts of professor C.G. Jung and his studies of psychotherapy. Just like C.G. Jung, Ellie Munten recognizes mystery as a part of human personality, that combines both areas of good and evil. In this sense the artist brings forward the possibility of change in her pictures, presented as a theme. Thus the painted human figure in her picture is always in motion, less factual, but rather on a spiritual, immaterial level. The titles of her works underline that feeling. The recurring motif of the chair in Munten's pictures is a metaphor for the "pause". It is not so much about staying in a situation, but offers space, to reflect.
The outside, the outside world and also the factor time, wich influence the inside, are of the same significance to Ellie Munten as the human inner forces that have their influence on man's bahaviour.
Her works of art can be seen as mirrors, which translate this interaction into an expressive form.
Dr. Christian Krausch art historian Mönchengladnbach Germany
Die Bilder von Ellie Munten wirken auf den ersten Blick wie abstrakte Gemälde. Erst auf den zweiten Blick sind unter der Pastos aufgetragenen Farbe weibliche Gestalten sowie Stühle zu erkennen.
Betrachtet man die lyrischen Arbeiten, erleben wir ein ständiges Wachsen, Herausarbeiten und Klären einer der Künstlerin ureigenen Thematik. Die Künstlerin sucht die Sinnhaftigkeit und das tiefere Wesen des menschlichen Daseins, das Wechselspiel von Innen und Außen zu erforschen.Das innige Betrachten des Rezipienten erfordert eine Kraftanstrengung in der Auseinandersetzung mit diesen Arbeiten, in denen er wie in einem abgrundtiefen Spiegel die eigene Seele mit ihrer möglichen existentiellen Leere Wiederzuerkennen mag. Ob die Wahrnehmung des Betrachters nun eine Abwesenheit des Lebens symbolisiert oder von einem lebendigen Wachstum und von inneren Wandlungsprozessen zeugen, sei dahin- und den eigenen Erfahrungen des Betrachters anheimgestellt. Wie auch immer der Betrachter an die Arbeiten herangehen mag, er wird Ausgangsmöglichkeiten für die Erforschung von Seinswahrheiten finden.
Dr. Josef Gülpers art historian Aachen Germany