wesna wilson

The Vibrant World of Art and Resilience

Wesna Wilson, born in Berlin in the 70s, is a multidisciplinary artist working in painting, photography, drawing, collage, and textiles. Her richly colorful and transformative life journey serves as the foundation for her art, which is deeply rooted in the belief that creativity is a way to survive and thrive in the world.

Growing up next to the Berlin Wall, Wesna’s childhood took a dramatic turn when her family moved to former Yugoslavia. In the strict socialist environment, she sought freedom through creativity—painting on anything she could find, from walls and ceramics to furniture.

At 15, driven by a fierce desire for independence, she left her family home and returned to Berlin alone, laying the foundation for her artistic path. Aged 17, she moved to the south of Texas, into a Hispanic Community, where the vibrant colors and vast landscapes near the Mexican border deeply influenced her evolving style. These experiences have woven a rich tapestry of cultural influences into her work.

Wesna’s creative philosophy has been shaped by artists like Paula Modersohn-Becker, Frida Kahlo, Gerhard Richter and Alice Neel—artists she deeply admires for their individuality. Like them, Wesna’s work reflects her inner world with bold honesty, ranging from striking abstracts to intimate portraits and florals.

Her work also captures the complexity of living with bipolar disorder and ADHD. As Wesna reflects, "Artists make art to survive the world"—a mantra that guides her creative process as a means of crafting a personal world of freedom and peace. In response to the dark thoughts and negative news that often surround us, she makes a deliberate choice to work in vivid, energetic hues. By embracing this radiant palette, Wesna reaffirms life’s brightness and offers a hopeful antidote to the gloom that can so easily overshadow our everyday reality.

Wesna refuses to be confined to a single medium or genre. She allows her creative expression the freedom to evolve organically, giving it the space it seeks to take on new forms and directions. This openness defines her multidisciplinary approach, ensuring that her work remains authentic and ever-evolving.

Despite life’s challenges, Wesna has steadfastly remained dedicated to her craft. She studied fashion and textile design at Lette Verein Berlin and fine arts at Kunsthochschule Weissensee, all while balancing motherhood and creative professions. Her art is a testament to transformation and healing, celebrating beauty and individuality amidst life’s difficulties. Wesna Wilson has been in solo and group shows in Germany and around Europe. Her Works are in private Collections worldwide.

Today, she lives and works in Berlin with her partner and 3 children, creating vibrant, inspiring work that reflects the power and freedom of a self-determined artist's life.