Some time ago I visited Discovery Art Fair in Cologne, but only recently I finally sat down to go through all the photos from that day. Looking at them again reminded me how many interesting and unexpected artworks I saw there, so I thought it would be nice to share some of them here.

Art fairs always have a special atmosphere. You walk through large open spaces filled with completely different artistic voices — paintings, sculptures, installations — each one telling its own story. Sometimes you pass quickly, but other times a piece suddenly stops you in your tracks.

That’s exactly what happened with several artworks during my visit.

The Technical Side

• Camera: Sony A7c
• Lens: Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Makro G OSS
• Processing: Adobe Lightroom

Kaan Ege Önal

In this painting the artist portrays a classical sculpture, but transforms its surface with intricate blue floral patterns. From a distance the figure feels like a traditional marble statue, yet the porcelain-like ornamentation gives it a completely new identity.

The combination of classical form and delicate decorative motifs creates a fascinating dialogue between tradition and contemporary artistic imagination.

Oil on canvas

Kaan Ege Önal — (second variation)

This work continues the same idea, presenting the classical figure once again, but covered with a completely different visual narrative. Warm tones, botanical elements, and architectural fragments spread across the surface like a richly detailed tapestry.

The painting invites the viewer to slowly explore its many layers, where history, ornament, and imagination merge into a single composition.

Oil on canvas

Lena Krashevka — Turquoise Heritage

In this work the artist plays with rhythm and repetition. The surface of the canvas is filled with transparent spheres that resemble bubbles or droplets of water.

Cool shades of blue create a sense of depth, almost like looking into water or glass. The longer you observe the painting, the more it begins to draw your eye into its hypnotic structure.

Oil on canvas

Lena Krashevka — Confession #19

At first glance this painting almost feels photographic in its precision. But the real magic appears when you notice the water droplets covering the surface — as if the viewer is looking at the face through a rain-covered window.

This subtle layer creates a feeling of both distance and intimacy. The gaze feels calm and slightly distant, as though we are witnessing a quiet moment of reflection.

Oil on canvas

Lena Krashevka — Reflection #25

This painting feels softer and more intimate in tone. Warm light gently surrounds the figure, creating an atmosphere of quiet contemplation.

The water droplets appear once again, but here they feel almost poetic — like a delicate boundary between the viewer and the inner world of the person behind the glass.

Oil on canvas

This portrait immediately caught my attention. The figure is painted with makeup reminiscent of the Day of the Dead, while the delicate crown of hydrangeas adds softness and quiet elegance to the image.

The contrast between the symbolic skull makeup and the gentle flowers creates a fascinating balance between fragility and strength. The calm, thoughtful gaze gives the painting a mysterious and slightly theatrical atmosphere.

Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to remember the name of the artist. If anyone recognizes the work or knows who created it, I would be very happy to learn more.

Itamar Yehiel — Sculptural Embroidery

At first glance this piece looks like a real autumn leaf gently resting on the wall. But as you come closer, it reveals something unexpected — the entire form is created through intricate embroidery.

Artist Itamar Yehiel transforms thread into a sculptural object, blurring the line between textile art and nature. The delicate textures and warm colors give the work an almost organic presence, as if the leaf has quietly grown out of the wall itself.

Colored Pencil Portrait Installation

This piece immediately caught my eye because of its unusual construction. Hundreds of colored pencils are arranged inside a transparent box, and from a certain angle they form a portrait.

The closer you move, the more the image shifts and dissolves into abstract lines and colors. It feels like a fascinating blend of sculpture, painting, and optical illusion.

Unfortunately, I didn’t catch the name of the artist. If anyone recognizes this work, I would love to know more about it.

Conceptual Glass Sculpture

This small installation feels surprisingly powerful despite its minimalism. A tiny human figure stands suspended above sharp, dark forms inside a transparent block.

The composition creates a quiet sense of tension and vulnerability, as if the figure is balancing between safety and danger.

I unfortunately didn’t note the name of the artist, but the work stayed in my mind long after I saw it.

Pop Culture Artwork

This artwork made me smile the moment I saw it. A familiar character stands in front of a classical painting, while the phrase “Art is the Way” fills the wall behind.

The contrast between pop culture imagery and the traditional golden frame creates a playful dialogue between contemporary culture and classical art.

Sadly, I didn’t manage to remember the artist’s name here either. If someone recognizes it, I would be happy to learn who created it.

Thanks for reading!

If you enjoy art exhibitions, feel free to share which artwork caught your attention the most.