Phantasmal 7
Andreas Reutz
Watercolor — 2022
Unique Artwork
Artwork sold
The artwork was sold for NOK 6,500
Co-owners received 85.71% return on their investment.
23 x 31 cm
The artwork
Phantasmal draws its name from a term originating in the early 19th century, evoking the spectral and the surreal. This body of work explores a realm where natural and physical laws are bent and sometimes broken — a universe where gravity itself is absent, leaving forms in a state of eternal equilibrium.
This permanence mirrors the concept of “artifacts” in 3D space—traces of our interventions that emerge as unintended consequences. In the digital realm, these artifacts are evidence of creative action, small reminders of each choice. But the concept extends beyond the digital, reflecting our real-world interactions with nature. From introducing invasive species to failing to contain pathogens, human impact on the environment often leaves irreversible marks, whether intentional or born of oversight.
In Phantasmal, I act as both creator and disruptor, crafting digital forms based on natural anatomy and then pushing them to extremes, transforming the recognizable into the alien. Harsh lighting casts bold, cartoonish shadows, and these digital models are then painted with watercolor onto cold-pressed cotton paper. I use the whites of the paper to simulate backlit vibrancy, striving to capture the luminosity of digital RGB in a physical form.
Stylistically, Phantasmal merges Western classical figurative elements with Asian minimalism, creating a hybrid aesthetic. While the visual language nods to manga, it avoids its typical conventions—there are no exaggerated eyes or simplified features. Instead, it presents a blend between the perfect digital and an imperfect, tactile reality, evoking a minimalism that is both familiar and alien. In this world, every trace and artifact serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of human presence.
