Moritz JH: Painting Through Darkness, Finding Light

“My art is a dialogue with the unknown, a constant confrontation with the depths of my subconsciousness.”

A Journey Through Darkness and Light

Art has always been intertwined with Moritz JH’s life, shaping and reflecting his experiences in profound ways. His creative journey, however, has been anything but linear. While his childhood was influenced by artistic expression, it was during a period of estrangement from art that he discovered its true significance. Struggling with depression in his youth, he lost the joy of painting, a realization that continues to shape his work a decade later. Today, art is not merely a pursuit—it is an essential force for his well-being, a necessity rather than a choice.

His unconventional path further enriched his artistic perspective. Leaving school early, he dedicated time to voluntary work in a kindergarten, where he rediscovered the simplicity and purity of childlike joy. This experience instilled in him a deep appreciation for curiosity, spontaneity, and unfiltered emotion—qualities he actively preserves and incorporates into his creative process. Later, his training as a chef introduced him to the disciplined interplay of creativity, precision, and responsibility. This balance between structure and artistic freedom now plays a crucial role in how he approaches his work as an artist.

No matter what role he occupied in life, the presence of art was inescapable. It became a refuge, a means to reclaim his authenticity amid the pressures of everyday existence. The more he found himself conforming to external expectations, the stronger his need for artistic expression became. In the winter of 2023, caught between the conflicting versions of himself, he faced a decisive moment—one that ultimately led him to fully embrace his identity as an artist. Choosing art was more than a career decision; it was an act of self-preservation, a commitment to living truthfully.

Moritz JH: Exploring the Depths of the Subconscious

For Moritz JH, art is an ongoing dialogue with the unknown, a confrontation with the depths of his own subconscious. Every painting he creates serves as both a question and an answer—though the meaning may not always be immediately clear. Nothing in his work is accidental; every brushstroke, color choice, and form carries significance, even if its purpose is initially elusive. This process of uncertainty fuels his creative energy, making each piece a journey of discovery. Rather than dictating fixed meanings, his work remains open-ended, allowing space for interpretation and introspection.

Themes in his art shift organically, influenced by the emotional and psychological landscapes of the moments in which they are created. While the overarching subject remains life itself, individual series explore distinct facets of human experience. His ‘Mental Autopoiesis’ series, for instance, holds deep personal significance, as it emerges from an intrinsic need rather than a deliberate intention. These works are not painted by choice but by necessity, forming an integral part of his mental and emotional well-being. Through them, he translates internal struggles into visual narratives, externalizing thoughts and emotions that might otherwise remain unspoken.

His artistic process is as intuitive as it is deliberate. He embraces the unknown, allowing subconscious impulses to guide his work while remaining acutely aware of the underlying structure within each piece. By engaging in this introspective exploration, he invites viewers to do the same, encouraging them to find their own meanings within his art. Through this interplay of ambiguity and intention, his work becomes a mirror—one that reflects not just his own psyche, but the viewer’s as well.

The Influence of Sound, Space, and Movement

Moritz JH requires little in terms of physical setup to create—his art can take shape in almost any environment. However, certain conditions enhance his creative process. Physical exhaustion, often brought on by sports, sharpens his focus, allowing him to engage with his work on a deeper mental level. This interplay between body and mind is integral to his practice, as it facilitates a more fluid connection between thought and execution.

Music also plays an essential role in his artistic expression, serving as both an emotional catalyst and a structural influence. Certain sounds evoke specific moods, which he then translates into visual form. This connection between auditory and visual elements mirrors the way Romantic-era composers infused their music with deep emotion and philosophical complexity. The presence of Strauss and Mahler in his studio is no coincidence; their compositions serve as a bridge between eras, reinforcing the timeless nature of creative introspection. Similarly, the works of Shostakovich echo through his process, offering a sense of depth and tension that resonates within his paintings.

Nighttime provides the ideal atmosphere for his work. The solitude and quiet of darkness allow for an uninterrupted dialogue between his mind and the canvas. Removed from the distractions of daily life, he finds clarity in isolation. This nocturnal creative state fosters an immersive experience, one where emotions and subconscious thoughts manifest most vividly. In these late hours, his art takes on a life of its own, shaped by both the absence of light and the richness of internal reflection.

Moritz JH: The Fusion of Philosophy, Emotion, and Materiality

The philosophical undercurrents in Moritz JH’s work are deeply rooted in the artistic and intellectual movements that have influenced him. Romanticism, with its emphasis on emotion, individualism, and the sublime, holds particular significance. The era’s exploration of the unknown and its embrace of raw, unfiltered expression align with his own creative ethos. A print of Caspar David Friedrich’s Wanderer above the Sea of Fog hangs in his studio—a constant reminder of the beauty found in introspection and the confrontation of vast, existential landscapes.

Visually, his influences extend beyond Romanticism, drawing from Cubism and Expressionism. The dynamic use of form and color in these movements resonates in his approach to composition. Kandinsky’s theories, particularly those from his Bauhaus period, captivate him, though he remains wary of their rigid dogmatism. Instead of adhering strictly to a single artistic philosophy, he allows his inspirations to coexist fluidly, forming a unique synthesis that is neither confined by tradition nor wholly detached from it.

His chosen mediums are equally fluid. Acrylic paint serves as the foundation due to its versatility, but he frequently incorporates other materials—charcoal, metals, paper—depending on what best conveys the essence of a piece. Each work demands its own language, and he remains open to adapting his techniques accordingly. Even his titles reflect this ever-evolving process; rather than simply labeling his pieces, he constructs them as metaphors or analogies, offering insight into his emotional relationship with the work while leaving room for individual interpretation. Through this interplay of philosophy, emotion, and materiality, Moritz JH creates art that transcends aesthetic form, inviting a deeper engagement with the human experience.