*2005 | currently based in Paris and Austria, Salzburg.
Dominik Gegaj’s practice is an investigation into the material properties of watercolor, narrowed to the fluid dynamics of the medium. His work functions as a study of tension, utilizing the unpredictable behavior of water to render controlled structures of human anatomy. Through a planned, layered application of pigment and the intentional use of negative space, Gegaj turns the fluidity of the paint into brittle surfaces, mimicking marble and porcelain.
This technical approach juxtaposes the organic with the inanimate. By further limiting his chromatic range to a foundation of indigo with ultramarine accents, Gegaj prioritizes tonal value and light over color theory. This restriction allows the work to focus more on the weight and volume of the form, effectively "carving" the figure out of the white of the paper. The resulting symbiosis of soft application and a hard shell channels a vulnerable observation of irrational themes such as love, surrender, and the self that exist in a constant silent confrontation.
The paintings serve as the foundation for Gegaj’s work across other media. His photography and video projects are direct extensions of his watercolor practice, carrying the same focus on fluidity and sculptural stillness into captured movement.