About Us

Why Psycho ?

Behind Psychostudio are the German artist duo Nikolai Müller and Milena Sündermann. Both work primarily in painting and explore in their art the transitions between consciousness and the unconscious, between inner images and external reality. Their artistic practice is united by an interest in making emotions, inner states, and psychological processes visible in a pictorial, sometimes even scenic, way. This results in works that address personal experiences, hidden desires, dreams, and inner movements, making them accessible and relatable for the viewer. The paintings become an interface between the artists' own experiences and the perception of the viewer. The name Psychostudio consciously reflects this exploration of the human psyche. While the word "psycho" often has a negative connotation in contemporary usage ("psychopath," "You psycho!"), its linguistic origin is much older and more profound. It originally derives from the ancient Greek psychḗ (ψυχή), which means something like soul, life force, or vital energy. Later, terms like psychology and psychotherapy developed from this, and the negative connotation of the word is also a relatively recent development, shaped primarily by everyday language and the media. With Psychostudio, we consciously revive this original meaning. As art therapists, we are interested not only in diagnosis or what seems to define a person at first glance, but also in their soul, their history, and their creativity. At the same time, we want to lighten the tone of the word "psycho" without being disrespectful. Humor, art, and openness can help to adopt new perspectives and find a different way of accessing one's own experience. Therefore, Psychostudio is not just a name, but an attitude that connects our artistic and therapeutic work.

Artists

  • Milena Sündermann

    "My work brings together two poles that could hardly be more different, yet are inextricably linked. On the one hand, there is nature, an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Plants, animals, and organic structures repeatedly find their way into my work, intertwining with personal experiences and fantasies. On the other hand, I am preoccupied with the human condition. Self-portraits shaped by experiences, emotions, dreams, or dream realities fascinate me just as much as the way modern humans deal with existential themes and nature. My paintings emerge from the tension between painting and sculpture. By incorporating various materials and affixed objects, they transcend pure two-dimensionality and develop a tactile, almost sculptural quality. Ornamental forms and natural structures intertwine and are brought into the 21st century through kitsch, glitter, vibrant colors, and artificial hair and fur. The result is work that mediates between organic beauty, materiality, and emotional expression, and speaks of the contrast between humanity and its origins."

    Milenas Artwork's 

  • Nikolai Müller

    "For me, painting is far more than an aesthetic medium. It is a way of connecting with things that are often difficult to put into words. Through the painting process, I can come closer to inner themes, moods, and thoughts while also engaging with psychological and social questions. 

    I usually begin my paintings without a concrete idea or a fixed vision of the final result. The process starts playfully – through experimenting with color, form, material, and movement. Only as I paint do associations, motifs, and meanings begin to emerge. I respond to what becomes visible on the canvas and allow myself to be guided by unexpected developments. 

    Often, it is only during this process that I begin to understand what a painting wants to express. For me, meaning does not necessarily exist before the painting begins; it can emerge through the act of painting itself. 

    My work develops through a constant interplay between chance and control. Some paintings lead to psychological or social questions, while others remain deliberately open, driven by atmosphere, materiality, and intuition. What connects them is an attempt to make inner states and my personal perception of the world visible. 

    I do not aim to provide definite answers. My paintings may raise questions, draw attention to particular themes, or simply make a state of being tangible. They leave room for personal associations and interpretations – because every painting changes with the gaze of the person experiencing it." 

    Nikolai's Artworks