Alice Gruen is a visual artist specializing in abstract and realistic art. While her realistic works tell stories, her abstract compositions emerge intuitively, without a predetermined concept. Lines, shapes, and colors become an expression of movement and emotion. Her work explores themes of identity, self-image, and societal expectations, inviting viewers to discover their own associations and emotions.

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Before Alice begins her work, she prepares the canvas by applying a matte gel medium to create a smooth base for marker use. In recent works, she experiments with thicker layers of this medium to add texture and tactile depth. She then sketches lines onto canvas or paper using acrylic markers. During this process, she enters a state of complete detachment, allowing intuitive lines to emerge without conscious decisions.

Only afterward does she analyze the web of lines and discover figures and forms within them—always female figures in varying poses, expressions, and body structures. She fills the resulting spaces with acrylic or watercolor paint, mixing her colors from the three primary colors, as well as black and white. Her abstract works are always created in square formats and are characterized by dynamic linework and vibrant, expressive color compositions.

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This intuitive technique forms the foundation of her abstract art. It serves as both expression and response—a creative examination of identity and societal expectations. The tension between self-perception and external perception is deeply embedded in her works, particularly in the portrayal of female figures.

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Often, words fail her when attempting to express what she feels—so instead, she speaks through lines, shapes, and colors. Her works aim to make the unspoken visible, encouraging viewers to explore their own emotions. The figures she creates—raw, confident, or reserved—reflect the complexity of female identity.

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From an art historical perspective, her work intersects multiple movements. Her intuitive approach connects to the automatism of the Surrealists, while her geometric abstraction shows parallels to Cubism. However, her process remains spontaneous and emotionally driven.

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Additionally, her art touches on themes of the feminist art movement, challenging conventional representations of female identity and societal roles. Her works combine spontaneous expression with deliberate composition, inviting viewers to find themselves within the forms and colors and establish a personal connection with the pieces.

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In her realistic art, Alice reinterprets scenes from Alice in Wonderland, merging them with her personal experiences and the urban settings of Berlin. She seeks to translate the emotional states of the story into her paintings: the feeling of losing control, falling into the unknown, frustration, and the sense of not belonging. Her works are created using acrylic on canvas in square (100x100 cm) and elongated (40x100 cm) formats. Here, too, she mixes her own colors to create specific moods and color palettes.