about
Hi, I’m Franziska, and I live and work with my family near Hamburg in Northern Germany. I have a diploma in business psychology and years of experience in communications, media and literature industries. My creative muse, KOSI, is my artistic alter ego. And she paints.
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Through my work, I aim to engage viewers emotionally and intellectually, drawing from political, pop-cultural, and socially relevant themes. I enjoy blending humor, irony, and the unexpected, encouraging multiple layers of connection.
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Inspired by literature, history, movies, and music, I focus on simplicity—using minimal colors and stripping my work down to its essentials. Perfection and predictability don’t interest me; I prefer art that challenges, even if it sometimes fails. A vase with a flower might just be a vase with a flower, and that’s okay.
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Beneath the humor and simplicity, there’s often something deeper—meaning that I often (but not always) hide. I hope viewers take the time to look closer and uncover those hidden layers.
Photocredit: Sonja Schaefer
Group show "Jung & Schön", Fabrik der Künste, Hamburg Germany, April 2024
Group show HAAM #02, Kraftwerk Bille, Hamburg Germany, September 2024
Interview with Berlin-based contemporary art magazin #HORST UND EDELTRAUT - 06.11.2024
Your weakness? Your strength?
"My sensitivity is both a strength and a weakness; it enhances my ability to observe and connect deeply, but it can also cause emotional exhaustion and uncertainty in social situations."
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What makes you different?
"I find it challenging to define what makes me different because I don’t strive to stand out. However, I believe my unique sense of humor, often paired with cynicism, allows me to approach serious topics from a different perspective, which many people can relate to."
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When did you decide to become an artist?
"For much of my life, I resisted the idea of being an artist. With my mother working professionally in art and as a teacher, creativity was always present in my childhood, yet my own artistic efforts felt half-hearted. A couple of years ago, I decided to embrace art again—this time without rules or constraints. It became a powerful outlet during challenging times, freeing me on a deep, personal level. I had spent many years working in advertising and media, but at some point, I grew deeply frustrated with my job. Finding this new path has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to explore new forms of expression. There’s also a certain intellectual satisfaction in simplifying complex or critical themes or hiding them within subtle hints. Somehow, something is now present that I had long missed."
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Do you choose your art form, or does the form choose you?
"I believe it’s a bit of both. I am captivated by simplicity, ease, and effortlessness, which naturally draws me to my current way to work."
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What do you find most fascinating about the creative process?
"I find the intensity of my emotions while painting truly fascinating. There are moments of great frustration when things don’t go as planned, contrasted with an almost obsessive focus when I lose track of time, forgetting to eat or drink. While I’m not typically impulsive, painting allows that side of me to emerge, and even though my self-doubts can be overwhelming, I strive to see them as opportunities for growth and improvement. But sometimes I also find it relaxing to just paint a motif without a story behind it, such as a vase with flowers or simply funny stuff."
Wanna know more? Please read my interview with the Stockholm based gallery The Ode To(AUgust, 2023) or get in touch.
What do you call your series of artwork?
I don't adhere to specific series. Each artwork stands independently, a product of what inspires, interests, angers, or challenges me.​
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What technique have you used?
Currently, I exclusively work with acrylic on canvas for my creations.​
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What inspired you to create the artworks you have made for The Ode To?
My process is akin to that of a sculptor rather than a traditional painter. I often begin with a rough idea, rarely sketching the canvas. The work evolves differently from expectations, including color changes resulting in distinctive paste-like textures. The artworks for The Ode To came about intuitively, capturing modern colors, timely or timeless themes, infused with humor and irony.
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Can you tell us about your background and how you came to be an artist?
Growing up, my surroundings were steeped in art due to my mother's involvement as an art teacher and painter. Despite this, my interest in creating art wasn't immediate. I spent years in marketing communications before embracing my creative side. With time, a desire to channel my creative personality into socio-critical or cultural themes emerged. This led me to explore and express ideas that often blend motif, text, and hidden narratives in my paintings.
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​How would you describe your art and aesthetics in three words?
(Hidden) narrative, vibrant, dark contours. ​