Artist in Residence
Lili Nalovi: January to April 2012
Lili Nalovi was born in Hamburg 1966. After completing her high school diploma, she left for France to assist the French sculptor Bruno Maillard. Later, she studied at the Art College in Hamburg. There she met and fell in love with the artist Jesko Willert, with whom she lives and works since 1990. She began as a freelance artist in 1992.
In 1996, Lili was awarded the Prix du Jury, in the European competition for contemporary art Salon de Printemps, LAC, Luxembourg, for her mixed media artworks about the sexual abuse of children.
Between 1998 and 2000, she and Jesko Willert specialized in old Italian painting techniques, learning under the painter Stefano Ficalbi in Florence, Italy.
After this, the two traveled the world seeking inspiration from other cultures and landscapes. Since 2003, they have used their art to create whole new environments: they transform buildings into artistic landscapes that reflect their travels and experiences. Working independently, the artist couple has realized several big solo exhibitions in Hamburg and Berlin.
Lili is attracted by the chance to paint the colourful attire of the local women in Lamu, and to trace the rich ancestry of the people through portraiture.
Jesko Willert: January to April 2012
Jesko Willert was born in Hamburg 1968. He began his art studies at Jörg Kalkreuter’s private Art School in Hamburg before joining the Art College. There he met and fell in love with the artist Lili Nalovi, with whom he lives and works since 1990. After graduating from the Art College, Jesko continued under the tutelage of Jörg Kalkreuter for another four years. Since 1995, he works as a freelance artist
Between 1998 and 2000, he and Lili Nalovi specialized in old Italian painting techniques, learning under the painter Stefano Ficalbi in Florence, Italy.
After this, the two traveled the world seeking inspiration from other cultures and landscapes. Since 2003, they have used their art to create whole new environments: they transform buildings into artistic landscapes that reflect their travels and experiences. Working independently, the artist couple has realized several big solo exhibitions in Hamburg and Berlin.
Jesko Willert has a passion for boats. He’s sailed in and observed different vessels around the world. For Jesko, a boat is a floating sculpture: it is timeless, connects peoples and moves through beautiful watery landscapes – his paintings seek to reflect all this. Unsurprisingly, Jesko is especially drawn to Lamu because of the dhows.
The Shela Schoolyard Canvases
The Anidan Orphanage Sessions
The Baitil Aman Exhibition
