Lilian Mühlenkamp

Berlin based artist Lilian Mühlenkamp studied art in Dortmund. Her abstract works are an exploration of her own synesthesia and the challenge of balancing the tension between spontaneously emerging moments and the deliberate control of the material. Over the years, the intensive, experimental work with the medium of paint has developed into an individual technique of image creation and a distinctive feature of her works. She has been involved in twelve exhibitions over the past two years.

How does synesthesia influence your creative process, and how do you translate those color impressions into abstract work?

My synesthesia plays a significant role in my creative process. Synesthesia is a neurological phenomenon where one sensory input activates multiple areas of the brain. The most common form is seeing colors in response to sounds or vice versa. In my case, it’s a bit different. When I interact with people I know well, I see/feel them in colors or when I experience certain conversations, or situations, I often perceive them as vivid color patterns in my mind’s eye. Letters and numbers are also connoted with colors (e.g.: A = red and 3 = green). This is an integral part of my daily life that it feels completely natural for them to flow into my art. However, I wouldn’t describe my paintings as direct replicas of these images. It’s incredibly challenging to capture something so fluid happening within me. But through the painting technique I’ve developed over the last years, I aim to evoke that sense of movement—the slow and fast, the floating and shifting dynamics. It’s my way of translating this personal experience into something tangible.

Which three artists inspire you, and how have they influenced your approach to art?

Cy Twombly inspires me through the way he captures movement, emotion, and spontaneity in his work. His ability to blend dynamic gestures with deeply personal and poetic expressions resonates with me. To me his painting have a certain ease to them, which I really like. Helen Frankenthaler’s unorthodox approach to painting, particularly her Soak-and-Stain technique, has also had a significant influence on me. As a contemporary artist, Janosch Jauch inspires me. I admire his experimental approach, especially his use of photography on canvas. His work always makes me wonder about the process behind it, and he constantly develops his art.

Follow the artist along: www.lilianmuehlenkamp.com
Lilian is featured inside the Spring 2025 Edition of the Art Seen. Grab your copy to read the full interview.