Ulrike Schmelter

Water, the basis of all life, is the central theme that artist Ulrike Schmelter explores in various aspects. Through her artistic work, water runs like a thread, sometimes portrayed abstractly, deep and unbridled in its most pristine form, and at other times as landscapes or in a different aggregate state, such as clouds.

During her studies, Schmelter developed a unique technique for her "water paintings." Rather than painting at an easel, she lays the canvas, mounted on stretcher frames, almost exclusively on a table during the creation process. Using a palette knife, she directs layer after layer of flowing paint to its intended place, creating an impression of depth and spatiality of the wet element. The final work process takes place at the easel, where the right perspective is brought out in her mostly large-format water paintings.

Why does Schmelter exclusively paint water? It is her respect for this precious element, which can be both destructive and a savior, as seen in a fire. No life is possible in the long term without water. The artist prefers to be near rather than in the water, studying it in hours of observation and recording it mentally. She translates her memories and emotions onto canvas in her studio, detached ...

Born in Dortmund
2013-2018 Study of painting, Akademie für Malerei Berlin
2018 Master of Arts, master-class student of Ute Wöllmann
Founder member Künstlerinnengruppe K11
Member of GEDOK Berlin
Member of Kunstverein KunstHaus Potsdam
Member of BBK Berlin
Ulrike Schmelter lives and works in Berlin and Denia (Valencia)

Art Fairs

2023 Art Karlsruhe, Galerie Javier Roman (Málaga)
2022 Estampa, Madrid, Galerie Javier Román (Málaga)
2022 Art Karlsruhe, Galerie Javier Román (Malaga)
2020 Contemporary Art Ruhr C.A.R., Zeche Zollverein Essen, Galerie ROOT (Berlin)
2020 Art Marbella, Van Gogh Art Gallery (Madrid)
2020 Art Karlsruhe, Galerie ROOT (Berlin)

Solo Shows/Duo Shows

2024 „Traumlandschaften“, Duo Show, Kunstraum Gerdi Gutperle, Viernheim
2024 SEHnsucht“, Duo Show, Museum Bad Hersfeld
2023 „Meer unter der Elbe“, Museum Ship „Rickmer Rickmers“, Hamburg
2022 "NATÜRlich ZWEI", Duo Show, Kunstverein Bad Godesberg, Bonn
2019 „Diesseits von Arkadien“, Duo Show, Studio-Galerie Transform Berlin
2018 Ausstellung annlässlich der Öffentlichen Präsentation zum Abschluss des Masterstudiums, Akademie für Malerei Berlin
2017 "Faszination des Augenblicks: Wasser und Wolken", Aagaard-Galerie Berlin
2016 Ausstellung anlässlich der Öffentlichen Präsentation zur Aufnahme in das Masterstudium, Akademie für Malerei Berlin
2013 Ausstellung anlässlich der Öffentlichen Präsentation zur Aufnahme in das Hauptstudium, Akademie für Malerei Berlin

Groupshows (selection)

2023 Tempus fluit, Kunsthalle Brennabor, Künstlerinnengruppe K11
2022 "Beyond Paper", Papierma...