Brief Biography & Artistic Journey

Personal Information:

Born: 1964, Chemnitz, Germany

Location: Saarbrücken, Germany

Education and Training:

Technical Draftsman Training, Chemnitz, 1981-1983

Civil Engineering Studies, Civil Engineering School, Leipzig, 1983-1984

Professional Art Career:

Since 2006, I have dedicated myself to painting and have been working as a freelance artist. My artistic career includes numerous group exhibitions and several solo shows, both domestically and internationally. My works are included in various private and public art collections.

Current Activities:

I continue to live and work in Saarbrücken, where I contribute to the local and international art scenes.

Biography | Artistic Journey

Flight to Freedom, Art as Destiny –
A Journey of Courage and Expressiveness

Just before her departure from the GDR, Kerstin Arnold stood one last time before the Sistine Madonna in Dresden. She knew she might never see this masterpiece again—a moment filled with awe, yet also a silent promise to herself. The Madonna’s grace and strength, the timeless presence in her gaze, had always inspired her. In that instant, she realized that art was not only a means of expression but her true calling. With this inner image in her heart, she took the bold step toward an uncertain future in the West.

She refused the preordained, state‑controlled path of an art degree—its boundaries too narrow, its prescribed direction too alien. Instead, she chose a radical new beginning, armed with nothing but a suitcase and an unshakable will to discover her own artistic voice.

This fresh start demanded courage, adaptability, and an unwavering devotion to painting. Kerstin taught herself everything—through countless hours of experimentation, studying the great masters, and honing her technique. Today, her work is characterized by a unique creative process: layer by layer, figures and backgrounds emerge, rendered almost realistically in acrylic and oil. Using palette knives, bristle brushes, and translucent glazes, she imbues each piece with a depth that draws the viewer into an emotional realm.

Her art has gained international acclaim and features in both private and public collections. Highlights of her career include the acquisition of her works by the Saarland state art holdings, where they are displayed in venues such as the state parliament. Through her art—which often explores the complexity and strength of women—Kerstin Arnold pursues a clear vision: to reveal the human essence and tell stories that resonate far beyond the canvas. Today, she lives and works in Saarbrücken, where she celebrates her creative freedom anew each day.