Lilli Hill

Rider / Rider & horse 2023-2024, Oil / Canvas, Unique Pieces

In the images, you will find themes of intense passion, power, and submission, which may seem disturbing at first glance. It is not always clear who holds the dominant role. But upon closer examination, they reveal a deep humanity reflected in the emotions, sensuality, and physical posture of the figures. These are feelings and desires that lie dormant in many of us and that we may rarely allow ourselves to acknowledge.

The motifs in my paintings reflect the complexity of human existence. They show the ambivalence, the darkness, and the light within us all. The strong contrasts I incorporate into my compositions are meant to encourage the viewer to reflect on their own emotions and inner depths.

My inspiration for these works comes not only from Rammstein’s lyrics but also from art history. I draw influence from the works of great masters such as Rembrandt, Bosch, Schiele, Beardsley, and contemporary artists like Bettina Reims to create my own interpretation of the gray areas of human nature. I collaborate with two selected photographers who understand my vision and can translate it into visual references. It is a challenge to artistically represent these themes, but at the same time, a great satisfaction when I succeed in capturing the complexity and nuances of emotions in images.

Perhaps the lyrics of Rammstein in my paintings serve as an attempt, a stimulus, to make the abysses of the human soul visible and to open a dialogue about these themes. It is a challenge to confront the darker sides of human existence, but also an opportunity to better understand oneself and the world around us. My paintings contain deep emotion, a longing for insight, and a search for the origin of everything that defines us as human beings.

Lilli Hill

I am the rider
You are the horse
I climb on
We ride off…

Text: from “Rein raus” by Rammstein

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.