Julika Pettigrew (b.1977) is a German artist living and working in London, UK.

Form, colour and light - Key elements I fell in love with in my career as an interior architect

Now I translate these into my bold, abstract paintings. I am fascinated by the dialogue I sense between various volumes in the built environment and in nature. In my art, I explore the correlation between different two-dimensional shapes. Being a self-taught artist, I have been making abstract art consistently since 2024, always striving to expand the use of my materials to let their materiality shine. I am currently enrolled in Nicholas Wilton's 'Creative Visionary Programme'.
My paintings are in private collections in the UK and Europe, and I am represented by Kellart Gallery.

You can follow frequent updates on Instagram @julika_pettigrew_art

I am open to studio visits, commissions and galleries. Please use this contact form to reach out.

'Your glorious paintings are now hanging in their new home! I'm delighted!'

Hannah W.

Inspiration & Influence

My inspiration comes from visual impressions of shapes, composition and colour that I collect while engaging in every day life, moving through built or natural environments. These impressions create a library of ideas in my mind, which I draw from to explore the relationship of shapes, marks, textures and colours in my compositions.

I have always admired the minimalistic, open floor plans created by pioneer Bauhaus architect Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe.

My Process

I work primarily with acrylic paint on canvas, utilising scrapers as the first tool of choice. My process involves multiple layers of scrapes and marks made with various objects and utensils. The initial stages are intuitive and expressive, and result in detailed texture. Later, I curate the composition of shapes with more layers of paint or collage. Finishing touches - applying paint, pastels and/or dry pigments - ensure I am satisfied with the play of colour, light and dark in the right places, and with the level of detail that lets the viewer discover something new every time they look closely at the artwork.

Life Before Fine Art

I studied interior architecture at an architecture faculty in Germany. Before I enrolled, I completed a year-long vocational course in joinery.

After I finished uni, I moved to London to start work in a firm of architects. I loved creating spaces for people to learn and work. My favourite part was choosing interesting materials for the interior finishes. 

After my first child was born, however, I ended up giving up work - before the pandemic, aspects like flexibility and working from home were not available. 

My second child now in school allows me to dedicate significant time to my art practice.

Exhibitions

2025 'Space Between Shapes' Solo Show curated by Helena Safari, London, UK (upcoming in September)

2025 Artists' Open House, Dulwich Festival, London, UK

Publications

2024 Interview 'Art by Artists' Podcast -Transcript of audio interview

2025 'The Creator's Salon' Creative workspaces of our global community Portrait