Artiststatement

Christiane Hiltrop works with mixed media collage on wooden supports, developing open image structures between surface and space.

Through layering of paper, ink, acrylic and collage, dense yet breathable surfaces emerge. Material is not only a carrier but acts as an active element within the image.

The works remain intentionally open. Their appearance shifts depending on orientation and perspective, allowing image, material and space to continuously redefine each other.

Bio

Hiltrop is based in Cologne, Germany. Her work explores the intersection of image and object, bringing together European and Japanese visual systems as permeable layers.

She studied art history and modern Japanese studies at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (BA, 2024) and previously trained in visual communication (University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf).

She has spent extended periods in Japan, most recently in 2025, including a residency and collaboration with artist Yanagi Yukinori at Art Base Momoshima.

CV

Based in Cologne, Germany

Education
BA Art History and Modern Japanese Studies, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 2024 
Diploma in Visual Communication, University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf 

Artistic Practice
Mixed media collage on wooden supports 
Focus on layering, material and spatial perception 

Professional Experience
Prior to her artistic practice, she worked as an art director at BBDO in Düsseldorf.

2025 – Residency / Collaboration, Art Base Momoshima, Japan (with Yanagi Yukinori) 
Since 2021 – Project coordination (architecture), Cologne 

Additional Information
Extended stays in Japan (1998, 2008, 2023, 2025) 
Languages: German (native), English (C1), Japanese (B1) 

Awards
Comprix Finalist 2010, 2011