Fühl nichts – Glaub nichts

Visual Description

At the center is a stylized portrait in strict profile—reduced, cool and almost remote. The skin appears almost sculptural, nearly dematerialized, while an intense red surrounds and visually condenses the body.

The oversized glasses become the axis of the picture: their lenses are not transparent but transform into fish-like shapes—a fusion of object and living creature. This irritation is complemented by two goldfish moving freely through the picture space: one floating above, one close to the body, almost like protection or a counterweight.

The background remains calm and flat in a muted green, so that the color contrasts—red, orange, white—stand out all the more precisely. The surface shows a controlled handling of paint that keeps detail and gestural passages in balance.

Artistic Interpretation

“Fühl nichts – Glaub nichts” (Feel nothing – Believe nothing) is less a title than an attitude—and at the same time a deliberate refusal.

The work stages a figure withdrawing from the world. The closed eyes, the perception shielded by the glasses and the still posture point to distance—to a controlled switching off of stimulus, emotion and influence.

The goldfish act as fragile counterpoints. They stand for movement and sensitivity, perhaps also for thoughts or perceptions that cannot be fully controlled. While the figure tries to shield herself, life remains present in the picture—quiet, but impossible to overlook.

The result is a field of tension between control and permeability, between retreat and perception that cannot be stopped.

Art-Historical Context

The work sits at the intersection of figurative painting, Pop Art and contemporary symbolic art.

The clear line work and stylized depiction recall pop-cultural imagery, while the reduction and smoothing of the figure reveal references to the classical portrait tradition. At the same time, the combination of human and animal creates a surreal-seeming shift that connects to positions between Surrealism and modern pictorial symbolism.

The goldfish as a recurring motif points to a narrative layer—an approach that is gaining importance in contemporary painting: the picture as a carrier of attitude, not just of motif.

Exclusivity

As part of the “Goldfish Trilogy,” this work is embedded in a larger thematic frame, yet it asserts a presence of its own.

The combination of precise portraiture, symbolic elements and a clear dramaturgy of color makes the work unmistakable. The transformation of the glasses into an organic, almost living element in particular is a motif that does not repeat but was developed specifically for this work.

In this form, it is a one-of-a-kind work with a clear artistic signature and high recognition value within the series.

Collector Value

The collector’s value of this work lies in its density of content and its clear visual language. The work is immediately accessible, yet on closer viewing it opens a second, quieter layer that raises questions of perception, control and inner distance.

The combination of figurative clarity and symbolic openness makes the work especially well suited to collections that seek not only visual presence but also depth of content. At the same time, it has a strong presence in the room: the reduced composition and clear use of color allow precise placement without overloading the space.

As part of a series, the work gains additional relevance, since it does not stand alone but is embedded in a larger narrative context—an aspect that is increasingly important to many collectors.

More About the Artist

Rike develops a visual language that moves between stylized figuration and symbolic condensation.

Characteristic of her work is a precise use of color as a carrier of meaning: surfaces are deliberately reduced and contrasts placed with intent, so that every element in the picture has a clear function. At first glance her works seem calm and controlled, yet with longer viewing they open up a more complex layer between emotion, attitude and inner state.

Recurring motifs—such as the goldfish here—are not used illustratively but as carriers of meaning in their own right, extending the picture beyond what is visible.

The result is work that does not only show but asks questions—quietly, yet lastingly.

Condition Report

Condition: no visible defects. A detailed condition report is available on request.