Menu

about

Emotional and expressive, seemingly chaotic with a poignant resolution. What Johanna’s art teaches us, is how to flow with the motion, the movements of life, the hands, and the instinct. Nothing is a mistake, when every decision only unveils the next step.

Ramón Beytía L. (Contemporary crafts studio)
©Voodoo Beats Bass

My name is Johanna Rafalski, I was born in 1990 in the Southwest of Germany, and I’m an audio-visual artist and communication designer living and working in Bremen, Northern Germany.

Since my childhood, creating has been one of my basic needs I could not live without. When going to the restaurant with my family, it was crucial for me to not forget my “Stiftekorb” (basket of pens). With the tools provided, everybody could be certain that small Johanna was busy and “the peace was held”.

Small me with the “Stiftekorb” (basket of pens)

Drawing has always been a way for me to connect with myself, to calm down, to concentrate, and to process my emotions. During the time of course I also discovered other medias like painting, music, video, or sculpturing to use them for transforming inner and outer influences. In my work I usually don’t use models. I observe, internalise, transform and express.

The motion brings emotions to life, back n forth, forth n through, coursing on toward, revealing a finished canvas to behold.

Rui Nacumbize Namagoa

My favourite motive is obviously the face. I never get tired of exploring emotions and finding out how small changes in lines can change the whole facial expression. When I start drawing, I usually don’t think. I trust in my hand and often get surprised myself by the outcome. My pictures express a lot about myself, revealing unconscious states from within my self.

Whilst creating, it’s the movement I deeply enjoy, because for me, movement is life. And when I create, I feel alive.

Me and “grande”

Exhibitions

2026

  • Kolleggs offene Ateliers 2026
    Kolleggs – Ateliers und Werkstätten, Bremen

2025

  • KONTEXTIL – Enzyklopädie der weiblichen Handarbeiten
    (Con)Temporary Crafts Studio, Bremen
  • Kolleggs offene Ateliers 2025
    Kolleggs – Ateliers und Werkstätten, Bremen
  • Kartell Kultur: Das Fenster trifft Umzu
    Umzu, Bremen

2024

  • Hell on Jul
    Kolleggs – Ateliers und Werkstätten, Bremen
  • Die Bretter
    Breminale, Bremen
  • Open Screen
    City 46, Bremen
  • Prozesse, Prototypen und Produkte
    (Con)temporary Crafts Studio, Bremen

2023

  • Frauen in Bewegung
    Lagerhaus, Bremen
  • Creatives Bremen
    Filmflut, Bremen
  • BE WITH US
    Spedition, Bremen
  • Kunst.Hafen.Walle
    Kolleggs – Ateliers und Werkstätten, Bremen
  • Body ALIVE!
    Sammlung Robert Szabo Berlin
  • Am Strand von Paris
    Bahnhof e. V., Ottersberg

2022

  • Kollegg‘s Open 2022
    Kolleggs – Ateliers und Werkstätten, Bremen
  • Filmfest Bremen – Super 8 Expanded
    Kleines Haus, Theater Bremen

2021

  • Digital Shift – Interference
    Feuerspuren Erzählfestival, Bremen
  • Kunst.Hafen.Walle
    Kolleggs – Ateliers und Werkstätten, Bremen
  • CoronaSpuren – Open Air Ausstellung
    Bremen, Huchting

2020

  • Digital Shift – Interference
    Tunis, Tunesien

2019

  • Kunst.Hafen.Walle
    Kolleggs – Ateliers und Werkstätten, Bremen
  • 48h Neukölln
    Fincan, Berlin

2017

  • Jeanne Mammen – Die Beobachterin, Retrospektive 1910-1975
    Berlinische Galerie, Berlin
  • Lab Happening
    Laboratorio Marte, Buenos Aires, Argentinien

2016

  • Satélite XIII – Muestra Annual
    CheLa, Buenos Aires, Argentinien
  • Lab Happening
    Laboratorio Marte, Buenos Aires, Argentinien

Performances

2024

  • Meine Blockflöte und WIR 2.0 – Stand by Nikolaus
    Kunstverein Humboldt-Schlüter, Bremen
  • Meine Blockflöte und WIR 2.0 @GB Open
    Güterbahnhof Bremen, Areal für Kunst und Kultur
  • Meine Blockflöte und ich @offene Ateliers Bremen Neustadt
    Atelier Danni Schwaag, Bremen
  • Meine Blockflöte und ich @Galerie Mitte
    Galerie Mitte, Bremen
  • Meine Blockflöte und ich @Newtown Jam
    neusi’s – Bike Repair-Café, Bremen

2023

  • Meine Blockflöte und ich @RaumPro
    RaumPro, Projektraum für Kunst, Bremen
  • Meine Blockflöte und ich – Früher war mehr Lametta
    Atelier Gertrud Schleising, Bremen

Mentions

Work experience

since 02/2026

  • Communication Designer in Corporate Communications
    bim STANDARD

07/2024 – 01/2025

  • Instructor in the field of visual media in the women’s project
    bras e. V. – TESSA

08/2022 – 07/2023

  • Housekeeping employee
    Care and social services aks GmbH, Bremen

02/2019 – 02/2021

  • Graphic and media designer in the field of corporate communications
    Deutsche Windtechnik AG

03/2018 – 01/2019

  • Service staff gastronomy
    Café Lisboa

08/2014 – 07/2015

  • Delivery force by bike
    Deutsche Post

since 10/2012

  • Communication Designer
    freelance work

Education

08/2022 – 07/2023

  • Further training in web design with HTML/CSS, WordPress, Online editing & SEO
    cbm GmbH, Bremen

10/2015 – 07/2018 

  • Study of „Integrated Design“ – Studio Culture & Identity
    Master of Arts, Hochschule für Künste Bremen

08/2016 – 12/2016

  • Study of„Diseño de imagen y sonido“ (Design of Image & Sound)
    Facultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Urbanismo, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentinien

10/2010 – 07/2014

  • Study of „Communication Design“, Bachelor of Arts
    University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt

Personal

*1990 in Oberkirch, Baden-Württemberg

×