Ulrika Eller-Rueter

Ulrika Eller-Rüter is a Professor of Painting and Head of the Master of Fine Arts program at the Alanus University of Art and Society in Alfter/Bonn since 2006. She founded the Institute for Art in a Social Context in 2008, focusing on intercultural, participatory projects in public spaces. Her work spans painting, installation, performance, and music, addressing themes like social justice, environmentalism, and cultural exchange. She has held visiting professorships at institutions in Poland, South Africa, Palestine, China, and Lithuania. Notable exhibitions include SEA-LEVEL-LAB (2022), Gräfrath Water Veins (2024), and The Singing and Greening Box (2024). She is a member of the Beethoven Foundation Bonn's board since 2020.

Education: Studied painting and graphics at the University of Wuppertal (1982–1988), earned a doctorate on Kandinsky's work (1989).

Research Interests: Eller-Rüter's practice merges art with social engagement, often involving marginalized communities. Projects like SEA-LEVEL-LAB explore water's cultural and environmental significance through multimedia installations. Her work VOICELESS VOICES (2021) highlights silenced narratives through performance and sound. She frequently collaborates internationally, emphasizing cross-cultural dialogue and participatory methods.

Grants & Awards: Recipient of EU Comenius funding, KLIMAKUNST Förderung (2022), and the NRW Prize for German-Polish Cooperation (2011). Supported by the Rheinenergie Foundation, Bonn City, and others.

Exhibitions & Projects: Over 100 exhibitions globally, including Venice Biennale collateral events, Robben Island Museum, and collaborations with institutions in over 20 countries. Recent projects address water, migration, and urban spaces. Her installations often involve community participation, as seen in End-Sorge (2013) and MAKING WORLDS (2010).

Labs & Teams: Leads the Institute for Art in a Social Context, fostering interdisciplinary and socially engaged art. Collaborates with artists, musicians, and scientists globally, emphasizing socially and environmentally conscious practices.