Have you ever heard of a princess living by the Autobahn? Here, we celebrate Sylvia Ellis Kruck, “Die Letzte Prinzessin vor der Autobahn”. This translates to “The Last Princess Before the Autobahn”. Kruck was a vibrant artist. She lived life creatively.
Sylvia Ellis Kruck was born in Duisburg in 1956. She died at 59. Kruck was a painter and performer. She was also a storyteller and networker. Most importantly, she was a “Lebenskünstlerin” or life artist.
Kruck transformed spaces into art. She made her home at Mittelhafen 57 a hub. This became the “Kooperativer Kultur-Kreis”. Later, she moved to a villa. It was once the Friedrich Theissing parquet company. There, her atelier and apartment became one artwork. It was a home for artists.
She even occupied a storage space next door. She cleared fertilizer and created the “Meine-Fresse-Klub”. It featured floor panels from Titus Dittmann’s former halfpipe. Kruck named her old cat “Johanna Heesters”. This was due to its old age. Everything was art to Kruck.
Christoph Vogelsang captured her life in a photo story. He titled it “Die letzte Prinzessin vor der Autobahn”. This is how she lived at Mittelhafen 58.
The name also inspired a local band. “Good morning fire eater” named their album “Die letzte Prinzessin vor der Autobahn”. The band feels connected to Münster. They say many leave. But they feel at home here.
After Kruck’s death in 2015, her sister managed her estate. Her sister wanted to ensure her work was valued. The house at Mittelhafen 58 held countless paintings and sculptures. It was a treasure trove of colorful creations. Before its demolition, visitors could experience it.
Sylvia Ellis Kruck’s legacy lives on. Her art and spirit remain. “Die Letzte Prinzessin vor der Autobahn” symbolizes creativity. It represents living life as art itself.