Featured Artist Evelyn Wasserhase | Artsy Shark

Artist Evelyn Wasserhase shares an unusual collection of aboriginal-inspired art painted on palm bark. See more by visiting her website.

painted palm leaf

“Black River” palm bark painted with acrylic, 142 x 38cm

I was born in Hamburg, Germany, in the year of the Waterrabbit (Wasserhase). I have lived in England, France, Switzerland, and now share my time between Portugal and Spain.

detail of painted palm bark art

“Chakra Flow” painted palm bark (detail), 76 x 20cm

With a background in psychology, I worked for the World Health Organization (WHO) for many years, I was lucky to have held various privileged positions and travelled the world. My connection to the natural environment was always important to me, and my prior work in the Environmental Health Department of the WHO was rewarding but also involved difficult times.

palm bark painted in detail with acrylic

“Picasso’s Owl” palm bark painted with acrylic, 20 x 75cm

The period of COVID changed my perspective on life. I felt it was time for new adventures and for raising my awareness about the environment and the beauty of nature. I always had a passion for the arts, especially photography, stone sculpting, pottery and painting, which I practised whenever I had time.

photo of palm bark

Palm bark is used as a found material for Wasserhase’s work

In 2018, when my mother died, I developed a fascination for the beauty of natural materials which people consider waste, but which are very much like wood. My father had just died a few years prior and I still felt the pain. I cleaned the churchyard for my mother’s funeral and found palm bark which I took home and started painting with her paint.

painted palm bark using acrylic paints

“Goddess Hive” palm bark painted with acrylic, 85 x 40cm

She was 75 years old when she died and was 70 when she started painting. It was fascinating. Ever since, palm bark, leaves or branches, eucalyptus bark, or any garden waste suitable for painting have become my canvasses. They are usually destroyed, but I enjoy leading them to a new life cycle.

decorated palm bark with acrylic paint

“Waterrabbit” palm bark painted with acrylic, 120 x 30cm

Aboriginal and ethnic paintings definitely inspire my pieces. As it is for the aboriginal people, my art is part of a healing process. It has helped me deal with the challenges I faced during the last years. I link painting on natural canvases to wellbeing, meditation, creativity, and joy.

boldly patterned painted palm bark

We are All Connected, palm bark painted with acrylic, 63 x 32cm

Water and earth, as well as the invisible world, are important topics. I could never follow the complexity of the dreaming of the aboriginal people, but I follow my own inspiration and dreaming, parts of which may belong to my past, present or future. During my exhibitions many people have been intrigued. They have sought dialogue with me for a better understanding of my motivations and the materials I work with. I enjoy that very much.

Fluo painted palm bark

“Waterrabbit” palm bark painted with acrylic, 120 x 30cm

I have two publications: Contemporary Amazons and Art and  Songs for Mother Nature. The first is a play with the femininity of the art pieces owing to their shape. The second is a joint venture with my husband who is among many other facets a poet. I have exhibited my pieces in the Algarve of Portugal and Andalucía, Spain. My next exhibition is upcoming in Andalucía.

Evelyn Wasserhase invites you to follow on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

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