Oscar Thiem’s creativity probably got its foundation in grandma’s studio.
(Photo: private)
It may be a prejudice, yes, but that a young man is interested in fashion and art is probably actually rather rare. But if you want to meet such an exceptional phenomenon, you have the opportunity to do so at the weekend at the Ebersberger Kunstverein: Oscar Thiemt, 21 years old and a fashion student, invites you to his very first exhibition there. In the studio on the ramp above the monastery building yard, the Ebersberg-born artist is showing paintings from his “Process” series. The opening is on Saturday, August 21st, at 8 p.m., on Sunday, August 22nd, the show can be viewed from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thiemt himself is of course “quite proud” of this step in public and hopes to be able to address people beyond his circle of acquaintances with his art. He has long been fascinated by painting and fashion, says the 21-year-old, which is probably due to his grandmother. “She used to paint with us in her studio under the roof, it was a lot of fun.” There the young Oscar experienced a creativity that he later applied with spray cans on the wall and also on his clothing: “Since I was not yet able to sew well, I just painted T-shirts and shoes.” To be able to implement ideas that initially only existed in his head as precisely as possible, i.e. to make them reality, that has always appealed to him, be it in art or fashion, according to the 21-year-old. “I think that works particularly well there.”
When it comes to painting, Thiemt prefers a morbid chic.
(Photo: private)
However, he did not dare to implement this special passion for a long time, according to Thiemt, who grew up in Glonn. “I wasn’t confident enough for that.” Only after graduating from high school in Kirchseeon and a one-year trip did he find the courage to realize his dream and study fashion. He is now in his third semester at Reutlingen University and is very enthusiastic: The course is a broad mix of craft and creativity, you learn a lot of the basics, be it in drawing, sewing or cutting techniques. In addition, the training can be tailored to suit individual interests. Even two of his own pieces have already been created and shown at a fashion show.
However, he found that you shouldn’t just rely on your studies: if you want to become really good, you have to invest a lot of time in your own knowledge and skills outside of it, says Thiemt. “My style? Upscale streetwear, I would say”, inspired by his hobbies, skating and basketball, and combined with the demand for luxurious designer clothing. However, Thiemt explains that he did not use brands as models, but rather individual artists or collections.
As far as painting is concerned, the pandemic’s deceleration brought him a long way, says the Ebersberger. “With Corona I finally had the time to deal intensively with my art and to tackle the topic seriously.” The young artist describes his work as “abstract, intuitively created painting with the use of plasticity”. Many techniques are used, acrylic, lacquer paint, graffiti and pastel crayons. The representations range from abstract compositions to representational, Thiemt is also very open when it comes to color, some paintings are more monochrome, others are quite colorful – that too is decided more or less spontaneously. The most important thing, however, is time, because his special look, which he strives for, only emerges through waiting: “Over time, the structure of the picture changes, it begins to crumble.” That’s why he called the current series “Process”. “You have to see it for yourself,” he says, “then it actually explains itself.”
Oscar Thiemt (left) describes his fashion as upscale streetware. At the weekend he exhibits for the first time, in the gallery of the Ebersberger Kunstverein.
(Photo: private)
Thiemt had not previously known the Ebersberger Kunstverein; he only came across it when he was looking for a gallery. The 21-year-old has now been a member for a week, probably the youngest at the moment – and very impressed. “The club is totally cool, and I can well imagine that it would also be something for many friends of mine who also paint or take photos.” In any case, in the future he will advertise the association, which offers its members an uncomplicated and inexpensive exhibition opportunity. If word of this gets around among the offspring in the district, there may soon be more and more young exceptional figures to be admired. That would be great.
Exhibition by Oscar Thiemt in the studio at the Rampe in Ebersberg, vernissage on Saturday, August 21, at 8 p.m., on Sunday, August 22, open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.