A Day in the Studio of Artist Holger Mühlbauer-Gardemin

Holger Mühlbauer-Gardemin is a promising newcomer to the art scene. He studied art painting and graphic design in Bremen, Germany, and subsequently worked in various agencies and publishing houses. His style merges well-known art movements, creating something unprecedented. 

Today, we visit Holger Mühlbauer-Gardemin in Wilhelmshaven and Hamburg. We spent a day with him in his studio. Bright colours, wild splashes of acrylic paint on canvases, photographed repeatedly, mixed and combined with digital painting - this is Holger Mühlbauer-Gardemin's way of working. His art combines digital and manual materials (painting), digitally processed, and finally finished with acrylic paint.

Mr Mühlbauer-Gardemin, how did you become interested in art?

My thoughts were always pictures for as long as I can remember, and I'm a very visual person. My creativity is constantly bubbling in my head and needs to come out, almost an inner compulsion, but without effort.

When did you know you wanted to become an artist?

Actually, ever since I can remember.

What inspires you?

Films, travelling, other cultures, music, good stories...

Which artist has had the greatest influence on you and your work?

Picasso, Andy Warhol, Pollock, Jean-Michel Basquiat and, more recently, Neo Rauch.

Picasso, Andy Warhol, Pollock, Jean-Michel Basquiat and, more recently, Neo Rauch.

In my studio. I have a large studio (approx. 200 m²) in Wilhelmshaven, Germany - or on the iPad in my design office in Hamburg.

What does a typical day in your life as an artist look like?

There is no 9 to 5 in this sense, of course, as you can imagine, but whenever my creativity overwhelms me, I get to work and not too little.

Which material and techniques do you prefer to use?

Painting with brushes and palette knives, using acrylic paint on an artist's canvas and digital painting with a digital pen on the iPad. For me, it is all the same, they are just different materials that I combine. After all, art comes from my head.

What was your most memorable experience?

Artistically speaking, it was an exhibition in 2017 in Hanover, Germany, where I was able to exhibit my pictures alongside those of Andy Warhol, Beuys, and Picasso.

What advice would you give to young artists who are just beginning?

It can be a long journey, it takes a lot of endurance, good marketing and, of course, enough talent. And the luck to be in the right place at the right time.

Have you discovered another artist on artSOLITAIRE whose work you admire?

Admiration is always tricky, let's say other artists catch my eye, but I honestly don't look around too much.

What do you think you would be doing today if you had not become an artist?

Honestly, I've never asked myself that question. But definitely something that gives me freedom and fulfilment, otherwise, it wouldn't make sense, would it?

Do you have a favourite museum? If so, which one and why?

The Deichtorhallen in Hamburg and the Hamburger Kunsthalle because they are always up to date.

Do you have a current favourite piece of art among your works?

No, I would say always the current work that I have in progress.

Which exhibition or award are you particularly proud of? Or are you currently planning an exhibition?

I was named Cup Artist of the Year 2017 in Wilhelmshaven and have already planned several exhibitions for 2024, including one in Hamburg and Helgoland.

Do you have any wishes for your future? What are your aspirations and goals?

Firstly, health, then many more exhibitions and further advancement with my art.

Thank you very much for the interview!

Discover all works by Holger Mühlbauer-Gardemin on artSOLITAIRE.de now.