ABOUT
Ulla Schirmbeck: Merging Cultures and Creativity in a Lifelong Artistic Journey
I grew up in a village in Bavaria (Germany) and initially studied Cultural Anthropology in Berlin, driven by my lifelong interest in other cultures. Over time, my focus shifted toward art, leading me to study Visual Communication at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague (Netherlands), where I also developed my painting style. Since 2002, my work has been exhibited across Europe and the Americas. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in Artist-in-Residence programs and give workshops and lectures, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries like the Dominican Republic, Cuba, El Salvador, Argentina, and Peru.
While continuing my artistic journey, I met my French husband in the Netherlands, and together we are raising our two children, a boy and a girl, in Rijswijk. In addition to my artistic practice, I work as a freelance graphic designer, often collaborating with foundations like the Haëlla Foundation. I also lecture in the Communication and Multimedia Design department at the University of Applied Arts in Rotterdam, where I lead workshops in Visual Design, Urban Sketching, and Ritual Design, and mentor students in their final years.
ARTIST STATEMENT
In my painting, I immerse myself in the process, letting intuition and the energy of the moment guide me. I embrace the rawness of working large and gesturally, often outdoors, with materials at hand, often on the ground. Through layers that are built, scraped, and reworked, finding beauty in accidents and imperfections. I consider my art as a documented snapshot of my experiences and observations of life, both in my surroundings and in different cities and cultures. I aim to capture fleeting transitions, like summer’s exuberance waning or fruit ripening past its prime, while delving into abstract forms that evoke surreal experiences. In this way, I embrace the richness of life and its inevitable endings.
EDUCATION
1996–2000
Royal Academy of Art, The Hague
Bachelor of Fine Art – Visual Communication
1999
Facultad de Bellas Artes, Barcelona
Print Techniques & Animation
1996–1997
Freie Universität Berlin
Cultural Anthropology
RESIDENCIES
2009
Taller72, Lima, Peru
Etching residency
Presented my work at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
2008
Casa Alegre, Alegría, El Salvador
Organized an exhibition in The Hague with 20 artists from Europe and El Salvador
Residency, conducted workshops, and delivered a lecture at Universidad de San Salvador
2006
Simposio V, Camagüey, Cuba
Residency with 40 international artists, culminating in an exhibition
2005
Can Serrat Art Center, El Bruc, Spain
Painting studio residency, exhibition
2004
Barro y Arte, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Pre-Columbian ceramics residency under Mirta Marziali
Proyecto’Ace, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Etching residency, learning from Alicia Candiani
2003
Altos de Chavón, Dominican Republic
Painting studio residency, teaching at Parsons School of Design
EXHIBITIONS
Solo/Duo Exhibitions (selection)
2019
Hoge Bergen Diepe Dalen, Gepetto & Vélos, with designer Elske van Revelman (Paris, France)
2014
Schilderijen en etsen, Wine & Kunst Galerie (The Hague, Netherlands)
2010
Unterwegs, Rathaus (Taufkirchen, Germany)
2009
Etching Snapshots, Broderick Fine Art Gallery (Freehold, New York)
People of the World, European Patent Office (Rijswijk, Netherlands)
2005
Entoderweder Galerie (Dorfen, Germany) – “Reisebilder” with sound artist Tjerk Stoop
Can Serrat Art Center (El Bruc, Spain) – “Ghosts and Rabbits” with author Frode Sander Øien
2004
O, Sultane!, Galerie Alain Paire (Aix-en-Provence, France)
2003
Fernweh, Galerie KA20, with photographer Eddy Wenting (Munich, Germany)
2002
Paintings and Collages, Wine & Art Boteghin (Munich, Germany)
Group Exhibitions (selection)
2011
Måe Terra, Terra Cacau Galeria (Proença-a-Nova, Portugal)
2010
proofDruk, Haagse Kunstkring (The Hague, Netherlands)
2009
Windnomaden, Oerol (Terschelling, Netherlands)
Chaotic Erotic, Galerie Onderstroom (The Hague, Netherlands)
2008
Blote Voeten, King Kong Galerie (The Hague, Netherlands)
Un Minuto, Casa Alegre (Alegría, El Salvador)
2007
Outrageous, Van Stand Galerie (The Hague, Netherlands)
2006
Frühjahrsausstellung, Zehentstadl (Moosburg, Germany)
MEER-ZEE, DU-AG (Munich, Germany)
2004
Europe Without Borders, ArtTower Agora (Athens, Greece)
2003
dusk, a cultural project for peace (Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Greece)
A.I.R., La Galería (Altos de Chavón, Dominican Republic)