At first glance, the artworks of Hilke Thor Straten and Morten Keese could not be more contrasting. Yet, his steel sculptures and her magical mosaics combine in a magnificent union radiating the couple's creativity and resembling their relationship.
Both artists, born in the late 1970s in West Germany close to the North Sea, embarked on extremely different paths developing their skills, techniques, and personality in their journeys before finding one another.
Morten's training was more technical, and he practiced his craft as a professional blacksmith for many years, studying different fields of this craft before he freed his inner artist.
Hilke initially trained in social work, which assisted her with the social skills to travel around the world and develop her colorful style while practicing her art on the road and being inspired by the exotic places she visited.
These days they work together, sharing their lives, inspirations, devotion, and passion for one another and their art by creating immaculate steel and glass sculptures. MetalArtMirrorGlassMosaics is their manifestation – steel-framed sculptures filled with stained-glass light reflections bringing an abundance of light and life to wherever they are exhibited.
To share their art with the world, the atelier is mounted on wheels in a colorful caravan so that the artists can travel and work from any location. Morten and Hilke transform lifeless areas, walls, or buildings into uplifting sparkling facades.
This combined energy opens up new perspectives and ways to create. This symbiotic union and relationship is a well-appreciated gift in both of their lives.
The couple's latest project was for the Nordfriesische Museum. A whole room was created with colors and self-built furniture, and part of these steel-glass creations now remain as part of the permanent collection of the Northfriesian Museum, which is a huge honor for the couple. To have their artwork recognized in their native region is a massive complement to creating a rainbow-prism-like area of reflecting mirrors and metal where guests are invited to relax and marvel at the endless possibilities reflected in the mosaics while having a coffee, chai, and chat.
Hilke says an essential ingredient for their work is complete artistic freedom in the creation. “We must ensure that people trust us and that we can trust them to be sensitive and respectful. Customers must provide a certain space so that we can reach the maximum concentration for any given project.“
To bring light, movement, and a newly oriented view into a piece of art, allowing the viewer to be a big part of it. Each move changes the picture, and each ray of sunlight changes the reflection and artwork, and it comes alive for the audience and allows the soul to dance.
The artistic couple is ready to spread their arte ,wings and light . Hilke and Morten are ready to relocate for the next radiant level of creation , exhibition and for the celebration of their ART. Are you looking forward to have more light, joy and creative fulfillment in your life ? Do you plane to bring a highlight into your city ,home or location ?Do you have the courage to do something new in your life together with us ?
You are most welcome to contact us ,visit us in our atelier and to get an idea about our views ,perspectives and visions .
