Hello, I am Christiane Drieling, a collage and assemblage artist originally from Germany and now based in Ruston, Louisiana. My work is inspired by the German folklore and fairytales I grew up with as well as by the many traditional stories and forms of play from my second home country, the United States, which I got into when my children were growing up. I often refer to a certain fairytale character, a distinctive story line, or a commonly known game when I compose an image by using lots of nostalgic material in my work, including vintage children’s books, old toys, and board game pieces, often including artifacts from my own childhood. Especially when I make a piece about a heavier theme such as loss, injustice, or a dilemma situation, I like to give my visual stories a light and playful note, a comforting setting, and unexpected endings. Because life is full of surprises. - Thank you for taking a look at my work!
I have had the pleasure and honor to show my work locally and statewide, from solo exhibitions and group shows to special features in various magazines. My work has been collected in the States and abroad.
Book characters have their specific roles, traits, tasks, and life journeys because they were written this way. I like to challenge these characters by cutting them out of their stories and dropping them into new situations.
My work often deals with the ways how we treat each other, the roles we play in our communities and in the world, and the consequences of our doings. Sometimes a single image is not enough to make the point, so I make a series.
I also enjoy assemblage work, especially making people! Often inspired by old doll heads, I build figures and their visual narratives using lots of playful vintage elements. Many of my 3D works are articulated and interactive and full of details and surprises.
I love making little and tiny things, including seasonal items. My small sculptures as well as vintage inspired holiday ornaments tend to sell out quickly, so please contact me about availability. Besides, most of my collage works are available as fine art prints, including card size mini prints.