Lilli Hill
My painting is intended to serve a different function than the usual, mundane spheres of society, such as advertising or most social media. I love authentic bodies and individuality, but I try to shift the focus away from purely physical and sexual characteristics of my subjects and towards aspects of our contemporary spirit. This is particularly important in light of the clichéd, artificial, and hypersexualized visual world we inhabit today. I offer my paintings as a counterpoint to the one-sided representation of—above all—contemporary female beauty.
Lilli Hill was born in 1976 in Abay, Central Kazakhstan as Lillia Hill. 1989-1992 Internship and work in the studio of Konstantin Otapka. Private instruction in painting. 1993 Moved to Radevormwald, Germany. 2003-2007 Studied painting (Prof. Jürgen Störr), graphic design, art history, and philosophy at the University of Wuppertal.
Verified Solo Exhibitions
2010 LibertéKunstverein Biberach e.V.Biberach an der RissGermany
Verified Group Exhibitions
2019
After Fair ShowGalerie KK Klaus KieferEssenGermany
2018
After Fair ShowGalerie KK Klaus KieferEssenGermany
Grand Salon 2018Kulturhaus Villa BerberichBad SäckingenGermany
2015
Die Spielchen des Freund Hein / The little games of Joe Black Zeitgenössische Künstler zu Tod und VergänglichkeitPalastgalerieBerlinGermany
Sei Realist - sei Berliner - Leidenschaftliche Sichten des homo sapiensBastion KronprinzBerlinGermany
Cranach 2.0 – Der Internationale Lucas-Cranach-Preis 2015 - Ausstellung der NominiertenCranach-Stiftung WittenbergLutherstadt WittenbergGermany
2012
Condition Humaine 2012LadengalerieBerlinGermany
Traum und Traumata - 5 Künstlerinnen und ihre Sicht auf die WeltRathausgalerie AalenAalenGermany
Schein und WirklichkeitKallmann-MuseumIsmaningGermany
Aus BerlinOsthaus Museum HagenHagenGermany
2011
Positionen des Realismus 3 - Real - Surreal - IrrealKunstverein Eisenturm Mainz e.V.MainzGermany
2009
Hülle und FülleGalerie Janzen - WuppertalWuppertalGermany
2008
Art Strips - Positionen des Realismus 2Kunstverein Eisenturm Mainz e.V.MainzGermany
Art Fairs
2020
Art Karlsruhe 2020art KARLSRUHEKarlsruheGermany
2019
Art Karlsruhe 2019art KARLSRUHEKarlsruheGermany
2018
Art Karlsruhe 2018art KARLSRUHEKarlsruheGermany
2017
Art Karlsruhe 2017art KARLSRUHEKarlsruheGermany
2016
Art Karlsruhe 2016art KARLSRUHERheinstettenGermany
Beauty
The painting reflects modern society, where beauty is often equated with success, happiness, and satisfaction. Young women are influenced to believe that they can only be successful if they look perfect and follow current fashion trends. This leads to an unhealthy pursuit of external beauty based on superficial standards, which can negatively impact self-esteem.
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Beauty. 2021-2022, Oil/Canvas, 120x160 cm, Unique Piece
The painting depicts a young, attractive, slender woman wearing a face mask and holding a lemon with the pull ring of a grenade attached to it. Beauty is one of the most important elements in philosophy, psychology, and art studies. It has both objective and subjective aspects and is strongly influenced by societal norms and ideals. In today’s society, which is shaped by social media and the pursuit of perfection, self-optimization is at the center of many discussions and debates.
The painting, titled “Beauty”, portrays a young woman who is clearly trying to conform to the current beauty ideal. She wears a face mask, indicating that she is altering and improving herself to meet the expectations of others. The lemon with the grenade’s pull ring symbolizes the danger and explosiveness of this process. It becomes evident that excessive external self-optimization can lead to serious consequences and put young women at risk of losing their own identity.
The painting reflects modern society, where beauty is often equated with success, happiness, and satisfaction. Young women are influenced to believe that they can only be successful if they look perfect and follow current fashion trends. This leads to an unhealthy pursuit of external beauty based on superficial standards, which can negatively impact self-esteem.
The artist deliberately chose elements that symbolize the duality of beauty and danger. Through the use of symbols and metaphors, she challenges the viewer to reflect on the true motives behind external transformation and self-optimization and to become aware of the risks and dangers associated with them.
It raises the question of whether it is truly necessary, in today’s society—dominated by perfectionism and superficiality—to conform to modern beauty standards, and whether beauty actually guarantees happiness and success. Overall, the painting subtly and artistically conveys the message that true beauty lies in individuality and authenticity rather than in the unrealistic standards of modern society.
Precious memories
Inspired by the piece of jewelry from the Dorotheum auction house in Vienna. During colonial times, an African king gave a large amethyst to an English noblewoman as a token of love. The affair became a scandal, and the young woman had to return to Europe. The stone was lovingly set in gold and diamonds and later made its way to Spain along with other pieces of jewelry. From the estate of a Spanish noble family, the stone eventually arrived in Vienna, where I saw it and learned its story.
Amour
Inspiration: Songtext zu „Amour“ von Rammstein
Die Liebe ist ein wildes Tier, sie atmet dich, sie sucht nach dir. Nistet auf gebrochenen Herzen, geht auf Jagd bei Kuss und Kerzen. (Rammstein)