Vian Borchert of Manhattan on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Vian Borchert and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Vian, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time in my yard: cleaning, pruning, and deweeding, while planting sunflowers, rosemary, and lavender. As I care for the space, I find joy in the small details: rearranging and redecorating, sipping my morning coffee as the sun rises, and listening to the birds sing. It’s become a peaceful, grounding ritual that brings me quiet happiness.
On a personal level, what brings me the deepest sense of joy and peace is my daily meditation practice. Each morning, I dedicate 30 minutes to stillness and mindfulness. This quiet ritual anchors my soul and recharges my spirit. The time of inward reflection offers mental clarity and prepares me for the day ahead. Through meditation, I turn inward, and interestingly, it deepens my connection outward within my community and environment. On a cosmic level, my meditative practice is both mentally restorative and spiritually enriching.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Vian Borchert, I am an established and accomplished visual artist and creative thinker. I have been creating artwork for 30 years and teaching art classes to adults in painting and drawing for two decades. I have always loved art as a child and until today. I’ve been in the art business for decades and I love seeing how my artwork and philosophies have reshaped the art world and beyond. I have exhibited in over 100 exhibitions in both solo and group exhibits worldwide in many prestigious venues such as the Louvre at the Carrousel du Louvre vernissage in Paris, and the Medinaceli DeArte contemporary museum in Spain to having my artwork on a huge billboard in the midst of Times Square on Broadway and exhibiting at the United Nations in NYC and other notable venues and key galleries in major world cities. My art has also been covered in over 100 publications from “World Art News”. “Museum Week Magazine”, “Arts & Investments” to “The Washington Post” and on the covers of French style magazines such as “Moevir” and “Roidx” based in Paris. I am also a multi award winning artist. As of late, I have been awarded this past Spring in NYC the International Prize “The New Great Masters in New York” – This honorable international prize given to selected artists commemorates the artist’s worth and artistic merit.
Moreover, I have been listed in the ultimate guide for art investors, featuring the most investable artists of 2025 in “Art Market Experts” which lists the world’s investable artists featuring top talent and established names presenting high-value art and artists, collectible masterpieces shaping the future. Hence, I am delighted to be listed amongst very established global artists such as: Alex Katz, Peter Doig, Cecily Brown, Jenny Saville, Julie Mehretu , Albert Oehlen, Anselm Kiefer, Katharina Grosse, Joan Mitchell, Gerhard Richter, Takashi Murakami, Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama, Marlene Dumas and other talented contemporary artist.
Besides being a visual artist and an art educator of many years, I am the art lead for the “Oxford Public Philosophy” Journal, based at Oxford University, UK. I also contribute through my art writing and through curation to my communities and to the greater public via a multitude of art forms be it visual art, art critique and art consultation. My paintings have been on exhibit not only in museums and galleries but also in embassies and corporate and private collections. I am known for my abstract paintings depicting places I have visited through my travels. I describe my art as a form of visual poetry where every work offers a lyrical take on my experience delivered through the art. My unique artwork has been a huge source of inspiration not only for budding and established artists but for designers in the art and decor fields. What makes my story and brand unique is that I am a self-made individual who literally built myself up through: hard work, an authentic and creative vision and a steadfast dedication to my art and its journey. I am grateful to the great experiences and collaborations I have been on along this journey that has expanded my vision and my career as an artist. My artwork is available and sold via these renowned world-market platforms and auctions: 1stDibs, Artsy, Artsper, Zatista, ArtCloud and Barnebys Auctions.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My artistic journey began at a very young age. For as long as I can remember, I was always drawing and painting. This came naturally to me. I was born with an artistic gift, and I embraced it. I would fill the pages of my sketchbooks with artwork and create entire graphic books from scratch. I would start with blank sheets of paper, adding illustrations and text, then carefully stapling them into finished books. I proudly shared these creations with family friends and visitors, and I still remember the awe in their reactions as they marveled at the detail, the creativity along with the imagination I poured into each piece. Those moments, hearing their words and seeing their expressions, made me feel powerful. Art gave me that power of seeing how it moves people and the connection it creates through creativity.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
As a child, whenever I felt sad, I turned to art. Sitting at my small desk in the corner of a room of my childhood home, I found comfort in creating. Art became my escape and a doorway into a world shaped entirely by my imagination. Immersing myself in drawing and dreaming up new ideas helped clear my mind and gave me a sense of peace. I’d lose myself in sketches and comic style stories, which I would turn into little graphic books. Those moments brought joy and a smile to my face, reminding me that creativity could be both healing and empowering.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire “Mother Teresa” for her character because she believed that love conquers all, that love is stronger than any hate, and that the world and its people need TLC (tender, love and care). Mother Teresa was one of the pioneers in championing beyond medical attention to the marginalized that emotional support and love are utterly needed. She dedicated her whole life to fostering such noble efforts via her philosophies on love, peace and unity. Her emphasis on the dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their social standing is profoundly admirable. She is a true source of inspiration of selfless love that shines through, and a commitment to a life of service cultivating harmony among people of different backgrounds.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story that I hope people will tell when I am gone is the legacy of an artist who changed art history for the better, that I was an innovative artist who reshaped the art world particularly in the realm of abstraction. Through my abstraction, painting was elevated to not only methodology but as a gateway to reach the subconscious. To reach our hidden world within and bring it to light is what my work entails. It is not merely making enjoyable pieces of painterly excellence, but to bridge the gap to the unseen, the mysterious world that hides within one and exploring the mystery that lies deep within the human spirit. I have been the pioneer of this and through abstract concepts, the infinite is reached. Due to my philosophies, I have seen numerous artists follow within my footsteps. Much like Monet known for his impressionist touch, and Jackson Pollock known for his action packed paintings of drips and splashes, I through my abstractions and emphasis on transcendental philosophies hope to be remembered as a visionary devoted to awakening the higher self through art.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Oliver Borchert, Vian Borchert

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