About

I present art that you are allowed to walk on. Historical thinking in new dress. A break with the classic Don’t touch!

Suleika Ulmen, artist

My works are built up as a process, much like a painting. The unframed canvas stays flexible and opens up new perspectives: a glance at the floor becomes an aesthetic experience.

I have worked freelance in my Cologne studio since 1997. My love of colour, pattern and textiles – shaped by my years as a make-up artist in film – runs through all of my work, which is exhibited regularly.

From 2012 to 2016 I was a co-founder of comme il faut floorcloth(e)s. These painted rugs of heavy sailcloth – popular in 18th-century England – were forerunners of linoleum and once even graced the White House.

Today I make them anew: hard-wearing, artful, entirely their own. They are joined by wall hangings, pictures and collages – inspired by the Orient, the baroque, icons, glamour and pop.

Exhibitions (selection)

Discovery Artfair Cologne Köln, 2025
Passagen Int. Design Week Cologne, Designpost Köln, 2024
Passagen Designpost, imm cologne Köln, 2023
Gedöns de luxe, Design Post Köln, 2022
Passagen Int. Design Week Cologne Köln, 2020
Museum für angewandte Kunst Köln, 2019
Passagen Int. Design Week Cologne Köln, 2018
Offenbach am Carlswerk, SCHAUSPIEL KÖLN Köln, 2017
Salon européen des métiers d'art résonance(s) Strasbourg, 2016
Living interior, imm Cologne Köln, 2016
Salon européen des métiers d'art résonance(s) Strasbourg, 2015
Passagen Int. Design Week Cologne Köln, 2015
Galerie Samarga Paris, France Paris, 2015
Passagen Int. Design Week Cologne Köln, 2014
Raketenstation Museumsinsel Hombroich Neuss, 2014
Maison & Objet Paris, 2013
MINT-interior Design London, 2013
Passagen Int. Design Week Cologne Köln, 2013

Nominations

Nominated for the North Rhine-Westphalia State Prize for Craft 2019
Nominated for the Hesse State Prize for German Craft 2022

Impressions

A hand working a paint roller across sailcloth in pink and mint Suleika Ulmen unrolling a painted floorcloth in the studio
A large pink and mint floorcloth in an exhibition, with rose-patterned chairs behind
A narrow floorcloth with two blue figurative panels and a star, outdoors against a concrete wall