Artiste Lys Blanc, the creative identity of Swiss-born artist Susanne Grosswiler, offers a deeply emotive and symbolic visual experience through her painting Translucent State. Completed in 2020, this award-winning work reflects her mastery of surrealist influence and psychological depth. Recently honored with the “International Prize Leonardo Da Vinci” in Milan by Effetto Arte (June 2025), Translucent State stands as a luminous example of her layered, subconscious-driven artistry.
Decoding “Translucent State”: A Visual Dreamscape
Translucent State, an acrylic on paper work, invites the viewer into a dreamlike realm where the feminine form takes center stage. Using shimmering, watery layers of acrylic, Artiste Lys Blanc builds an environment that is not only visually striking but emotionally resonant. The work exists in the liminal space between the visible and the felt—between conscious thought and subconscious reaction.
Guided by surrealist principles, the painting is rich in symbolism and psychological metaphors. The figure depicted is not meant to be a literal representation but rather an archetype—an embodiment of the intuitive, emotional, and dreamlike aspects of femininity. Its translucent quality enhances this effect, giving the impression of a figure that exists within and beyond physical space.
Each layer of paint serves as a metaphor for the emotional strata that make up human experience. These layered techniques, combined with the gleam of shiny acrylics, evoke a sense of mystery and openness. The viewer is not told what to see or feel—instead, they are invited to explore their own interpretations, much like deciphering the hidden logic of a dream.
From Switzerland to Aotearoa: The Artist’s Journey
Born in 1971 to a Swiss father and a French mother, Susanne Grosswiler grew up at the crossroads of two cultures—each rich in artistic heritage. Her early life in Switzerland laid the foundation for a deep appreciation of European art traditions, but it wasn’t until her move to New Zealand in 2002 that her own artistic path fully unfolded.
In 2009, she completed her Fine Arts Degree at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design in Auckland. There, she cultivated a practice that balances technical skill with conceptual exploration. Adopting the artistic moniker Artiste Lys Blanc—meaning “White Lily Artist” in French—she established a signature style rooted in introspection, emotional nuance, and poetic symbolism.
An Expanding Global Presence
While deeply embedded in the New Zealand art community—regularly participating in local art trails and exhibitions—Artiste Lys Blanc’s work has also reached far beyond her geographic base. Her paintings have been shown in key cultural hubs including Paris, New York, Istanbul, and London. Notably, she has also exhibited at the Miami Basel Art Fair, one of the most prominent platforms for contemporary art worldwide.
Her recognition is not limited to gallery walls. Her work has been featured in various art publications and catalogues, attracting an international audience of collectors and admirers. The 2025 Leonardo Da Vinci Prize she received in Milan further affirms her place on the global stage as a painter whose work transcends borders and speaks to universal themes of emotion, transformation, and identity.
Symbolism and Emotion: Hallmarks of Her Visual Language
What defines the art of Artiste Lys Blanc is not only her command of materials but her ability to communicate on an emotional and psychological level. Each work is a dialogue between artist and viewer, between image and emotion.
Translucent State exemplifies this. Rather than offering a fixed meaning, the artwork encourages personal interpretation. It reflects the dream logic of Surrealism—a language of suggestion rather than explanation. Her figures are not confined by reality; they live in symbolic space, where ambiguity is embraced and emotion becomes form.
This approach is deeply feminine in its understanding of inner life—not in a literal or biological sense, but in its commitment to emotional complexity, intuitive perception, and symbolic richness. In this way, her work acts as a bridge: between inner and outer worlds, between seen and unseen, between the personal and the collective.
Looking Forward: The Promise of Emotional Truth
As her international reputation grows, Artiste Lys Blanc remains committed to her core artistic principles: emotional authenticity, symbolic exploration, and a dedication to the subconscious. Translucent State is more than just an award-winning artwork—it’s a statement about the enduring power of visual art to access the intangible, the mysterious, and the beautifully human.
Through her unique blend of surrealism, symbolism, and technical finesse, Susanne Grosswiler—Artiste Lys Blanc—invites us not just to look, but to feel. And in doing so, she reminds us that the most powerful art often speaks the language of the soul.
