Belén
"To me, painting is a form of alchemy – a process in which colors and materials transform to bring forth deeper insights and emotions." –
Belén, 2024
The artist Anna-Belén Siegmann (b. 1997 in Hamburg, Germany), known professionally as Belén, is considered one of the most promising voices of the emerging contemporary painting scene. She lives and works in London and is a graduate of the prestigious Royal College of Art, recognized globally as one of the leading institutions for art and design.
Belén’s work is deeply rooted in the tradition of abstract painting, drawing inspiration from artists such as Gerhard Richter, Anselm Kiefer, Sigmar Polke, and Helen Frankenthaler. Her powerful visual language—defined by flowing, organic forms and bold, vibrant color compositions—creates a tension between intuitive expression and deliberate structure. Her style serves as a vehicle for exploring philosophical and spiritual themes, informed by her early studies in psychology.
A central theme in her artistic practice is the concept of alchemy—understood as a transformative process through which materials, colors, and emotions undergo a profound metamorphosis. In Belén’s hands, the canvas becomes an alchemical space where the sensual and the spiritual converge. This creative act resembles an inward search for essence, truth, and depth—a quest to make the invisible visible.
Her paintings embody a dialogue between freedom and form, intuition and control. They open spaces for reflection and invite the viewer to engage with the unseen—the in-between. Belén’s work is marked by a spirit of experimentation and a deep emotional resonance that connects directly with her audience.
Her works are already part of significant private collections, including the esteemed collection of Lord Davies of Abersoch CBE in London. Her paintings have been exhibited at the Institut Français in Hamburg, first in 2021 as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of the institution in Germany. In 2024, she participated in the exhibition “Mouvement”, a collaboration with the French Consulate and the Institut Français. That same year, she was awarded the highly respected Lucy Halford Scholarship for her master’s studies at the RCA—a recognition of her exceptional artistic potential.
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Alchemy
Solo Show - Belén 5 Dec 2024 - 28 Feb 2025From 5 December 2024 to 28 February 2025, Galerie Melbye-Konan presents the first solo exhibition of London-based artist Anna-Belén Siegmann (born 1997 in Hamburg), titled 'Alchemy ' across 400 square...Read more -
Mouvement - Bewegung
Collaboration with the French Consulate and the Institut français in Hamburg 20 Jun - 24 Aug 2024This summer France and Germany will be celebrating a summer of culture and sport . As France will be the host country of the Olympic Games, while Germany will host...Read more -
DEVENIR
BELÉN 4 Nov 2022 - 4 Mar 2023Under the title 'Devenir', Gallery Melbye-Konan exhibits new artworks by the contemporary artist Anna-Belén at the Alsterhaus Hamburg from 04 November 2022 to 04 March 2023. 'Devenir' implies the becoming...Read more -
AWAKENING
BELÉN 3 Mar - 30 Apr 2022Under the title 'Awakening' the Gallery Melbye-Konan exhibits the new works of Hamburg-based artist Belén in an exhibition from 03 March 2022 to 30 April 2022. Awakening not only describes...Read more -
70 YEARS OF THE INSTITUT FRANÇAIS
GROUP EXHIBITION 16 Jun - 14 Jul 2021On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the French Institute in Hamburg, Melbye-Konan Gallery is presenting three paintings by young artists from Hamburg and the Ivory Coast as part of its current exhibition HERITAGE. The Hamburg gallery represents African artists as well as artists from all over the world with a connection to Africa. The exhibition, which can be seen at the gallery on Jungfernstieg until July 14th 2021, shows paintings by the first generation of Ivorian artists as well as current works by the younger generation that deal with the theme of cultural heritage.Read more -
HERITAGE
GROUP EXHIBITION 14 May - 14 Jul 2021From 14 May to 14 July 2021, Melbye-Konan Gallery presents the group exhibition HERITAGE, featuring paintings by first-generation Ivorian artists alongside works by contemporary international artists exploring the theme of cultural and colonial heritage in Africa. In particular, the exhibition pays tribute to the artist Michel Kodjo (1935-2021), one of the greatest of the first generation of Ivorian painters, who passed away in March of this year. As early as 1957, three years before Côte d'Ivoire's independence, his works were shown in a solo exhibition at Abidjan City Hall, marking the beginning of a new era in art.Read more
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WOMEN POWER
GROUP EXHIBITION 21 Oct - 18 Nov 2020Women Power - the new exhibition at Melbye-Konan Gallery deals with the theme of femininity and its various aspects. The strength of women, the obstacles and challenges they face in...Read more -
AKWABA
GROUP EXHIBITION 4 Sep - 3 Oct 2020Akwaba, the title of the opening exhibition, shows African painters of their generation or artists with a connection to Africa from September 4th, 2020 to October 3rd, 2020.Read more
«Akwaba» means «welcome» in the African Twi language spoken by the Akan people in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. The term "Akwaba" also has a creative meaning. In the ancient Akan mythology, the fertility figure Akwaba is revered as the creator mother of the earth. The works reflect about Africa as the origin of the world, but also question the creative power of humans and the gap between modernity and tradition that meet in the big cities of Africa.
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Exhibition 'Alchemy'
Weltkunst, January 15, 2025 -
Belén
New kid on the block: The Hamburg gallery Melbye-Konan presents the first solo exhibition by Anna-Belén Siegmann – top of the class at the Royal College of Art.Camilla Péus, Ideat, December 16, 2024 -
Art in the center
GG Magazine , December 1, 2024 -
Franco-German world tour
Christian Hofmann, Kunst Mag, July 19, 2024
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Exhibition MOUVEMENT
Weltkunst, June 20, 2024 -
Exhibition "Mouvement"
Works by Yannick Ackah, Atowla, Belén, François Martinache, Stella Meris, Ngoye, Araks Sahakyan and Karolin SchwabInstitut français, June 12, 2024 -
Review of the year 2022
Galerie Melbye-Konan, December 30, 2022 -
Exhibition in Alsterhaus Anna-Bélen
Stefanie Baltruschat, Welt am Sonntag, November 27, 2022 -
INSPIRATION AFRIKA
WELT AM SONNTAG, March 6, 2022 -
UNSERE KULTUR-TIPPS DER WOCHE
HAMBURGER ABENDBLATT, March 5, 2022 -
CULTURE AFRICAINE: LES RENDEZ-VOUS EN MARS 2022
Siegfried Forster, RFI, March 3, 2022 -
LES PREMIERS ARTISTES IVOIRIENS À L’HONNEUR
LILIA HABBOUL, POUVOIRS D'AFRIQUE , May 25, 2021 -
HERITAGE
INSTITUT FRANCAIS, May 10, 2021 -
CULTURE AFRICAINE: LES RENDEZ-VOUS EN MAI
Siegfried Forster, RFI, May 4, 2021 -
DIE GROSSE LIEBE LEBEN
FEINE ADRESSEN HAMBURG, March 3, 2021 -
KREATIVES AUS AFRIKA
Welt am Sonntag, September 20, 2020 -
DIE GALERIE MELBYE-KONAN, HAMBURGS ERSTE GALERIE FÜR ZEITGENÖSSISCHE AFRIKANISCHE KUNST
STREIIFZUG, September 15, 2020
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Artist Talk
Solo Show - Belén 8 Feb 2025We are grateful to have the opportunity to host an artist talk with Belén, the artists of the exhibition 'Alchemy' in our gallery space. The...Read more -
Open Guided Tour
through our current exhibition "Alchemy" 18 Dec 2024We are pleased to invite everyone interested to our open guided tour through our current exhibition 'Alchemy' on Friday 18th Wednesday at 6pm. Gallery director...Read more -
Open Guided Tour
through our current exhibition "Mouvement" 27 Jun 2024We are pleased to invite everyone interested to our open guided tour through our current exhibition 'Mouvement' on Thursday 27 June at 6pm. Gallery director...Read more