The creation of Fire in the Fairy Forest began last summer and fall, during a period when I had ample time to wander through the woods of my childhood town near Berlin, Germany. Fire in the Fairy Forest connects me back to a series of works that I executed from 2007 to 2016, where children are the main characters of the paintings. I’ve always been fascinated by childhood memories and psychology, especially with a focus on Family Systems theory. In this new series, the children reflect a more recent past. Elements of dreams, fairy tales and my own childhood play a significant role. The cassette recorder, bicycles and the Sony Walkman evoke strong memories of my time as a kid and young teen, giving the imagery a sobering aspect of an era, while combined with the timeless aura of fairy tales. The title implies that both past and present may not be as idyllic as they seem. There is a clear connection to the wildfires we now experience so frequently; however, fires can also symbolize renewal, burning away illusions or outdated beliefs and behaviors. Fire can serve as a purifying force. My work doesn’t originate from a cerebral place; instead, it begins with memory, emotions, and stories. It is a visceral process, and is meant to leave lots of room for the viewer”s individual experience. -- Anne Siems