Li Lian Kolster is a London-born artist whose unconventional journey from science to art has shaped her distinctive vision. With a BSc in Biochemistry and an MSc in History of Science, Kolster brings a scientist’s precision and observant eye to her work, enriching her artistic practice with analytical insight.

Her early work focused on intricate ornithological drawings, which earned her a Society of Wildlife Artists bursary in 2008 to document endangered birds in Colombia.  In 2013, her path took a transformative turn when she immersed herself in indigenous plant medicine studies in Peru. Under the mentorship of Peruvian painter Luis Tamani, she developed her unique style over eight months of solitude in the Amazon, combining artistic exploration with the study of Shipibo traditional plant medicine.

Working primarily in acrylics, Li Lian’s paintings blend scientific detail with mystical perspectives, often inspired by her experiences in Shipibo shamanism and her own journey of healing from clinical depression. Her work explores the intersection of natural forms and visionary experiences, creating compositions that capture humanity’s connection to nature, indigenous wisdom, and the transformation of trauma into beauty.

In 2017, Li Lian became an instructor at the Vienna Academy of Visionary Art and continues to conduct workshops across Europe.

Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at London’s Mall Galleries and conferences such as Breaking Convention in London.  In 2019, she presented a solo gallery at the World Ayahuasca Conference in Girona, Spain.