If someone only had 24 hours to visit Berlin, where would you recommend?

I’d start the day at Wasserturm near Kollwitzplatz with a coffee. This is one of my favourite places in Berlin, and I always bring people who’ve never been there. Then I’d go to Auguststrasse for a stroll, where there are many independent galleries and the KW Institute for Contemporary Art. Not far from there is Fotografiska, a photography gallery that is quite new to the city. It’s worth seeing the architecture, where new elements blend with the old. Next, I’d visit Tempelhofer Feld, the former airport turned public park, which is especially great for cycling. A must-have lunch or dinner is a kebab. My favourite is the falafel kebab at K’Ups Gemüse Kebap. I’d then also find a vernissage happening, which is an exhibition opening at a gallery. Those are always fun.

What’s your favorite way to spend a Sunday?

I like to have a slow day: reading, going for a walk, taking a bath and wrapping up the evening with a movie. However, if it's the first Sunday of the month, I usually go to one of the state museums, as the Museumsonntag initiative offers free admission. 

Do you have a favorite memory in Berlin?

One of my favorite memories of Berlin is my first two-person exhibition at Camp Space in 2023. The private opening with friends and family was particularly special.

Do you know of any lesser-known neighbourhoods in Berlin that are best explored by bike?

Rixdorf is on my list. It is an isolated village within the Neukölln neighbourhood. I’ve heard it offers a glimpse into Berlin's past.

For someone visiting Berlin who is interested in modern art, which museums would you recommend?

I most definitely recommend visiting Museum Barberini. It’s located in Potsdam, on the border of Berlin, so make a day out of it. Half of the route goes through Grunewald, a gorgeous forest with a lake where you can take a swim break. The museum itself has a strong collection with works by iconic painters such as Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, and Modigliani (Modigliani: Modern Gazes exhibition runs until the 18th of August 2024).

Finding inspiration can strike anywhere. Have you ever encountered anything unexpected or inspiring while exploring Berlin on your Brompton that sparked a new idea for a painting?

While cycling through Grunewald forest, I was thinking about coming back and giving Plein Air a chance. It sounds like an idyllic day: jumping on my electric bike with a tiny foldable easel, canvas, brushes, paint, and a swimsuit. Then, finding a place by the lake to settle and paint. A must-do for me this summer.

Did the Modigliani exhibition at the Museum Barberini spark any new ideas or inspiration for your own painting? Have you ever considered using your electric bike to find a scenic spot in Berlin to capture a similar feel or elongated perspective in your next piece?

Seeing such a great volume of Modigliani’s work in person and reading about its history left me with a lot to think about. Modigliani frequently painted people with unconventional lifestyles. I'd like to approach this subject matter sometime in the future as well. A successful gallery or museum visit for me is when I want to jump back on my bike and go home to paint.

Beyond the city centre, are there any charming suburbs or hidden green spaces you recommend exploring on a Brompton Electric to escape the summer crowds and enjoy some peace and quiet?

There are two places on my list that I will be visiting with my electric bike soon: Haus am Waldsee and Wehrmühle Biesenthal. Both of these places are galleries, located further away from the city, with lots of green space and water around.