Life and Work

Franziska & Mercedes Welte 

Franziska and Mercedes Welte work under the shared artistic name NONOS, forming a unified artistic voice shaped through more than two decades of close collaboration. From an early age, both sisters have been engaged in artistic practice, developing a deep sensitivity to color, form, movement, and music—elements that continue to define their work today.

In the early stages of their careers, the artists pursued independent paths.
Franziska focused on sculptural form and the expressive potential of the human body, while Mercedes explored color as a phenomenological force—examining its spatial, emotional, and material impact. Over time, these distinct approaches converged into a coherent and unmistakable artistic language.

The work of NONOS emerges from continuous practice, technical precision, and an intensive dialogue with nature. The artists are recognized for their mastery of materials such as carbon, fiberglass, canvas, and pigments, and for working across disciplines including sculpture, object, and painting. Their works balance lightness and strength, movement and stillness, material presence and formal clarity.

Within their collaboration, Franziska is responsible for the intuitive development of sculptural structures, while Mercedes defines the works through nuanced color application and surface treatment, giving each piece its distinctive aesthetic depth. This close artistic fusion forms the foundation of the NONOS oeuvre.

The international exhibition history of Franziska and Mercedes Welte includes major venues and events such as Art Basel Miami, the Venice Biennale, and the Museum Stift Klosterneuburg, establishing their position within the contemporary art scene.

The artists live and work at the historic Ansitz Wellenstein on Lake Constance, where their studio provides a space for focused artistic research, production, and the development of new projects.