MUNTHE ART MONDAY:
Soraya Wüllner

Please introduce yourself and tell us about what you do.

My name is Soraya, and I’m an abstract artist based in Hamburg, Germany. My creative world revolves around colors, shapes, and emotions. I love working with soft gradients and delicate tones just as much as with bold, expressive compositions full of energy.

My work often shifts between surface and space—I enjoy experimenting with sculptural elements that bring a sense of three-dimensionality to my pieces.

I’m always exploring new forms of expression. Trying out different techniques and styles is an essential part of my process, allowing me to continuously evolve and reinvent myself. For me, art is a space of freedom—somewhere I can express myself intuitively and without limits.

Could you explain more about how being a woman has affected your career?

I am proud to be a woman. I embrace the diverse perspective that comes with womanhood—shaped by generations of women who have challenged norms and redefined their roles in society. This perspective enriches my artistic expression, allowing me to naturally explore emotional depth, subtlety, and contrast in ways that feel authentic to me.

Rather than limiting me, my identity as a woman inspires and deepens my creative voice. I also believe that passion, creativity, and dedication go beyond gender boundaries. What truly matters is the curiosity and commitment we bring to our work.

Being a woman is a meaningful part of who I am—but it is just one part. My artistic journeyis shaped by both my personal identity and the shared human experience that connects all artists.

Can you name some other female (artists) that inspire you and explain why they do so?

I’ve always felt inspired by female artists like Hilma af Klint, Lee Krasner, Helen Frankenthaler, and Frida Kahlo. They worked at a time when it wasn’t easy to be a woman in the art world, and yet they found their own voice and made lasting contributions.

Thanks to pioneers like them, female artists today have more opportunities — even though there’s still progress to be made.

I also really value the work of contemporary female artists. Through platforms like Instagram, it’s easy to discover inspiring artists from all over the world — and what I enjoy most is the feeling of connection and exchange that’s possible through that network.

What has been the most challenging aspect of being awoman in the arts?

I’ve always stood behind my work with confidence. But I’ve noticed that, as a woman,there can sometimes be an unspoken expectation to justify yourself more—to explain your choices, your path, or your presence in a way that isn’t always asked of others.

There are moments where it takes a bit more energy to be heard or to claim your space, especially in professional settings. That said, I truly feel that things are shifting. There’s agrowing awareness and appreciation for diverse voices in the arts, and platforms like this one contribute to that change.

That gives me hope—and a sense of belonging in a field that’s becoming more open and inclusive.

What would you like people to notice in your artwork?

I’d love for people to first feel something—before thinking about what it might mean. That initial, emotional response is very important to me. My work often communicates through mood and texture rather than through a fixed message. I’m not trying to tell one specific story—I’m more interested in opening up a space where others can find their own.

I put a lot of thought into the balance of color, movement, and form. Sometimes the process is intuitive, sometimes very deliberate. There are always layers—both visually and emotionally. Some pieces might seem quiet and minimal at first glance, but there’s often a lot happening underneath. Others are more bold and expressive, almost raw. But what connects them is this subtle tension between clarity and openness, between presence and space.

What I really hope is that someone stands in front of a piece and pauses. That they feel drawn in by a certain texture, a line, a shift in tone—something that resonates with their inner world. If the work manages to hold that moment, to invite reflection or even juststillness, then I feel it has fulfilled its purpose.

Soraya is wearing our SUSSIMA blazer, OBEY pants and PHOR top.