Client
Volker Nikel (Artist)
Services
Social Media Management, Social Media Strategy, Content Creation, PR, Artist Management
Year
2026
As an internationally renowned expressionist figurative artist, Volker Nikel has spent decades developing a distinctive artistic language between figuration and abstraction. My goal was to translate the depth and complexity of his artistic work into a contemporary communication strategy and create a digital presence that reflects the importance of his oeuvre.
The collaboration included a comprehensive communication analysis and strategy, Instagram profile optimization, content planning, two on-site content productions at his studio in Hindenberg, Brandenburg, as well as ongoing social media management with a focus on short-form video content. In addition, I created a new artist catalogue featuring his latest works to support his professional presentation.
Bringing decades of artistic work into the digital world
Background
Volker Nikel lives and works in Hindenberg, Brandenburg. His work is rooted in the traditions of Classical Modernism, with influences from artists such as Cézanne, Munch and Franz Marc. Across painting, sculpture, performance and public art, he explores the relationship between the figurative and the abstract.
Despite the extraordinary depth and quality of his artistic practice, his digital communication did not reflect the quality of his work. The aim was to develop a communication approach that makes his artistic process, his personality and the stories behind his paintings accessible to a wider audience.
Challenge
Volker Nikel’s focus has always been on his artistic practice, not on the technical demands of digital communication. Social media management, content creation and the constant development of an online presence were areas he did not want to spend his creative energy on.
The challenge was therefore to build a digital communication strategy that authentically represents his decades-long artistic work while allowing him to fully focus on what matters most: painting.
Approach
Our collaboration started with understanding Volker Nikel’s artistic language, his process and the stories behind his work. During two visits to his studio in Hindenberg, Brandenburg, I created authentic content that gives insights into his paintings and his creative process.
From there, we built a structured communication approach: optimizing his Instagram profile, creating short-form content, managing his social media presence and developing a new catalogue for his current works.
Services by Core Communication for artist Volker Nikel
- Communication analysis & strategy
- Artist marketing including branding and positioning
- Instagram profile optimization
- Content planning
- Two on-site content productions in Hindenberg, Brandenburg
- Short-form video content creation (Reels)
- Social media management
- Artist catalogue design
- PR (e.g. writing a press text for his upcoming exhibition)
Results
Through a consistent communication strategy and a stronger digital presence, Volker Nikel’s work gained significantly more visibility and attention online.
The new approach helped communicate his artistic process, his personality and the depth of his work to a wider audience. As a direct result of the increased visibility and professional presentation of his work, Volker Nikel was invited to present a solo exhibition at the Kulturzentrum Rathenow in 2026.
The exhibition “Häutung – Malerei von Volker Nikel” presents over 25 paintings and focuses on transformation, layering and the ongoing evolution of his artistic practice.
Explore Volkers Instagram page
… what Volker thinks about our collaboration
Core Communication supports artists like Volker to professionalize their external communication. Thanks for your ongoing trust, Volker!