The driving force behind the creative spirit of artist/musician Ruddha (Rudolf Otto Schlieben) – (1966-) is a deeply-sincere vision, a heart-felt desire to help humankind awaken to its true spiritual nature.

“It is my mission,” he says, “to facilitate Spiritual Awakening by means of my art and music.”

He explains that his visual art is often inspired by his music and vice versa: When he receives the inspiration to create music, for instance, he often reacts to this inspiration with a work of visual art – “an extension, in this physical realm, of the process of inspiration,” he says. A Veritable interaction with the higher realm portrayed in the media of both art and music.

“I am a shaman communing and healing through Music and Art”

His inspiration and teachers include, Salvador Dali, Yello, Dominique Appia, Pink Floyd, Alex Grey, Depeche Mode, Henry Mancini, Yazoo, Erasure and Queen, to mention a few.

Ruddha grew up in the Limpopo Province of northern South Africa. Here, in the shadow of the pristine Soutpansberg, he was exposed to the large cultural and religious diversity of the local people.

Living in South Africa allows one to explore a very wide range of cultures and belief systems. Also, music genres.

He has always felt “passionate” about art & music, he says, but never underwent formal training. In stead, he obtained a Master’s degree in Marketing.

After completing his studies, he further honed his talent as a communicator by lecturing at the University of Pretoria, The Military Academy in Saldanha and Technikon Pretoria.

His music falls in the genre electronica with elements of house, techno, electro, trance, tribal, fusion and world.

His visual work may be classified as digital visual art manipulation, photographic image composites or new media art. He use multiple digital photographic images, software and graphic design techniques to create fantasy realms with subtle messages from his sub conscience, the spiritual realms and nature.

Artist Statement

“Sound or vibration is the most powerful force in the universe. Music is a divine art, to be used not only for pleasure but as a path to Awakening.”
~ Yogananda

It is my mission to facilitate spiritual awakening. I am a shaman communing and healing through art and music. I utilize various mediums, primarily my own photographs, graphic design techniques and my technological skills to manifest my creative passion in this dimension.

My art is inspired by nature, my spiritual journeys and experiences. Every work represents a key, an insight, a universal truth. I create to celebrate, share and remember the milestones on the universal road of spiritual awakening.  For me Art and Music is the perfect medium to share spiritual insights, much easier than verbalizing or writing about it.

I would describe my work as digital visual art manipulation utilizing photographic image composites in the new media art category. I love the transparency possibilities of watercolor painting and often recreate the dreamy transparent emotional energy of a watercolor painting digitally.

For me Art and Music is meditation and I spend a substantial part of everyday pursuing this passion. I am inspired by all artists and musicians and learn something from everyone on my journey.

I use multiple digital photographic images, digital drawings, software and graphic design techniques to create fantasy realms with subtle messages from my higher self, sub conscience, nature and the spiritual realms.

My visual work is available as signed limited edition prints on canvas. My music is available as MP3 downloads and in my DJ Mixtapes of my favorite music.