Artist Statement

My work is driven by a deep sense of urgency. Academic discourse alone was insufficient for me to fully grasp the emotional dimensions of these issues. As an artist, I address the complex realities of global power relations.

For me, painting became the medium through which I conducted a personal and political investigation, intimately connected to my family history. My grandmother was forced to flee during the Second World War, enduring unspeakable horrors alongside her sister. In my work, these memories are intricately tied to contemporary conflicts and the pervasive violence that often feels distant yet is ever-present.

I am continually astounded by the events unfolding on the global stage. Why do humans keep coming into conflict with each other? How does violence shape future generations? And is brutality perhaps ultimately a part of being human?

My abstract, colourful, and multi-layered paintings engage with the forces that shape our world and explore their origins. Rather than depicting darkness, my art opens a space where the inexpressible can take a new form.

My works raise important questions and invite viewers to explore the complexity of the human condition. At the core of my practice lies a deep belief: that every person deserves to live authentically—in accordance  to their own experience and truth.

My artistic process is holistic and physical. I work with acrylic, ink, wax, and paper on canvas , applying them in layers using unconventional tools—everyday objects that carry their own histories. These objects become co-creators in my process. One such example is a simple bowl that has held and preserved the stories of generations. Through this layered approach, textures, traces, and densities emerge—like memories inscribed on the skin of the world.

VITA- About the artist

BO Michel (born 1990) grew up in a socially deprived area, studied business informatics in Hamburg and international relations, strategy and diplomacy in London. Her thesis investigated the undeniable power of emotion in international relations. As an artist, BO boldly explores the forces and deep challenges of a globally changing world—the UMBRUCHWELT.  Bo Michel lives and works near Hamburg, Germany.