Photo by Mohamed Bardane
cornelia es said
Kaskelstr. 55
10317 Berlin
+49 (0)178 / 490 37 36
connect@corneliaessaid.de
About
Born in Schwäbisch Gmünd and now based in Berlin, cornelia es said is a socially engaged artist who explores the human form through a unique blend of realism and expressionism. Raised in a working-class family and trained as a geriatric nurse, cornelia’s empathetic approach to art has been informed by her exposure to the complexities of life and death. She found her artistic voice during East Berlin’s squatting movement, where she became inspired by the creative freedom and exchange of ideas.
cornelia’s paintings experiment with internal and external boundaries and represent a radically social approach to the human form. Her artwork captures the essence of her subjects through various painting techniques such as oil painting, pastel, and watercolor.
In a collaboration with AI Midjourney, cornelia has extended her artistic expressions by using AI-generated images as a visual base for her paintings. She brings these digital creations back into the physical realm, exploring the interplay between technology and traditional artistic expressions.
cornelia es said’s unwavering commitment to social change is reflected in her powerful representations of the human form. Her paintings have been showcased in Germany and are held in private collections worldwide.
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
- Mar 2026–While the Machine is running. Retrospective Cornelia Es Said, krautART ARTspace, Berlin, DE
- Feb – Mar 2020–Guide to Utopia, krautART ARTspace, Berlin, DE
- Oct – Nov 2015–Communication, bänsch, Berlin, DE
Group Exhibitions
- May 2026–Sellerie Weekend @LauseRia, curated by Jo Tiffe, LauseRia, Berlin, DE
- Apr 2026–ART against BIGTECH, curated by Jo Tiffe, LauseRia, Berlin, DE
- Nov 2025 – Jan 2026–“Magic and Ritual” — Finalist Exhibition for the 13th Bernd and Gisela Rosenheim Foundation Art Prize 2025, curated by Bernd und Gisela Rosenheim-Stiftung (Fachjury), Haus der Stadtgeschichte, Offenbach am Main, DE
- Nov – Dec 2025–Pop-Up Store – Made in Lichtenberg, curated by Katalin Lambertz (Wirtschaftsförderung Lichtenberg), PopUp Store Allee Center Lichtenberg, Berlin, DE
- Sep 2025–Bugbone – AI & Hardware, curated by Johanna Tiffe, LAUSE, Berlin, DE
- Sep 2025–B.L.O. 3000 – Grand Re-Opening & Long Night of Pictures, B.L.O. Ateliers, Berlin, DE
- Jul – Sep 2025–ROOT on the road – Homeless artists, curated by Ute Wöllmann (Galerie ROOT), Galerie Root, Berlin, DE
- Nov 2024–MacroArtDot – Berlin group exhibition N°1, curated by Maja Neuhaus, Waschhaus, Berlin, DE
- Oct – Nov 2024–Pop-up Gallery – made in Lichtenberg (Vol. 2), curated by Katalin Lambertz (Wirtschaftsförderung Lichtenberg), Ring-Center II, Berlin, DE
- Jul – Aug 2024–Pop-up Gallery – made in Lichtenberg (Vol. 1), curated by Katalin Lambertz (Wirtschaftsförderung Lichtenberg), Ring-Center II, Berlin, DE
- Feb – Mar 2024–Salon de Refusées, curated by cornelia es said, krautART ARTspace, Berlin, DE
- Jul – Aug 2023–Art at CAN (HAU): Dance into August, curated by Elisabeth Henne & Vincent von Frankenberg (Lot1), CAN Bar (Hallesches Ufer 32)
- Jun 2023–Lot1 Frühlings-Auktion & Ausstellung, curated by Elisabeth Henne & Vincent von Frankenberg (Lot1), Alte Münze (Galerie), Berlin, DE
- Dec 2022 – Jan 2023–Nudes & Birds (Duo-Exhibition), curated by cornelia es said (krautART), krautART ARTspace, Berlin, DE
- Nov 2022–Lot1 Winter-Auction & Retrospective, curated by Elisabeth Henne & Vincent von Frankenberg (Lot1), CAN Bar (Hallesches Ufer 32), Berlin, DE
- Jul 2022–Lot1 Summer-Auction & Exhibition, curated by Elisabeth Henne & Vincent von Frankenberg (Lot1), Alte Münze (Innenhof & Pförtnerhaus), Berlin, DE
- Nov – Dec 2018–Enter at your own risk, curated by cornelia es said, krautART ARTspace, Berlin, DE
- Oct – Nov 2018–Kunstsalon Vol. 1 (Grand Opening), curated by cornelia es said, krautART ARTspace, Berlin, DE
- Sep – Oct 2018–URKNALL, curated by Viktoria R. Müller, Gallery N#N#, Pforzheim, DE
- May 2018–Dilemma III, curated by Mathias Bartoszewski, Kulturhaus Steinfurth, Steinfurth (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), DE
- Jun 2017–Dilemma II, curated by Mathias Bartoszewski, Kulturhaus Steinfurth, Steinfurth (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), DE
- Oct – Nov 2016–BLUE – Nomadic Exhibition in Chefchaouen, curated by Nabi Nara (SOMA Art), Medina von Chefchaouen
- Mar – Apr 2016–FLAGGEN – in memoriam Weekend Gallery, curated by Jacques Naoum / Künstler:innen-Kollektiv der Weekend Gallery, Toscana Kunsthalle (ECC), Berlin, DE
- Jun 2015–Dilemma, curated by Mathias Bartoszewski, Kraftzentrale, Straubing, DE
Exhibitions at B.L.O. Ateliers
Since 2014, regular participation in the annual community exhibitions at B.L.O. Ateliers — Open Studio Day and Lange Nacht der Bilder (Long Night of Images).