Bio
Anuk Rocha is a contemporary painter whose vibrant works weave together threads of personal history, cultural heritage, and a wide range of artistic influences, from art history and literature to fashion design. Although the German-born, Bosnian-bred artist graduated in fashion design at ‘ENSAD’ in Paris and honed her drawing skills as a fashion designer for the likes of Maison Martin Margiela and Damir Doma, Anuk eventually leaves the fashion world behind to focus on painting.
Her thematic series, including "Balkan Heart" and "The Traveling Circus," reflect deeply personal narratives of identity, memory, and belonging, rendered through dynamic compositions and bold textures.
In "Balkan Heart," Rocha explores her Bosnian roots, evoking the folklore, patterns, and cultural symbols of her upbringing. Meanwhile, "The Traveling Circus" transforms her childhood experience as a war refugee into a poignant visual story of resilience and imagination. Rocha’s journey from fashion design to fine art has also shaped her practice, with her skill in illustrating fabrics and patterns bringing a unique dimension to her work.
Known for her "patchwork portraits," Rocha captures composite characters from memory, expressing the multifaceted nature of identity. Her textured, layered painting technique mirrors her own process of navigating and reconstructing her cultural and personal story. Drawing inspiration from artists like James Ensor and Egon Schiele, Rocha’s works delve into the dualities of visibility and concealment, individuality and collectiveness.
Through her art, Anuk Rocha invites viewers into a rich tapestry of cultural narratives and personal reflection, creating a powerful dialogue between the past, present, and the universality of human experience.
Since 2022 she has exhibited at Blue Shop Cottage (London), Soho Revue (London), Galerie Kokanas (Marseille), Delphian Gallery (London), Cohle Gallery (Paris), Gallery Hioco/Delany (Antwerp), Nibelungen Gallery (London) and Galleri Christoffer Egelund (Copenhagen).
