Behind the Art: Carsten Pölking and the Intimate Dialogue of the Aroma EP Cover

The heart of our label is built on conscious content, and that spirit extends to every collaboration, celebrating the deep intentionality in our visual art. Today, we shine a light on Carsten Pölking, the German visual artist and designer who crafted the stunning cover for the EP of Aroma Project "Return Of The Dawn" (featuring myself and Aron Ottignon).

The Inner and Outer Worlds

Based in Hildesheim (GER) and Utrecht (NL), Carsten’s work explores a deeply resonant space: the intersection between the inner and outer worlds.

His artistic practice is an attempt to observe, grasp, and narrate these worlds with poetic sensitivity and detail. In recent years, the act of collage-making, combined with the recontextualisation of found materials, has become his main focus in storytelling. His layered and textured visual language offers viewers a glimpse into their own imagination, inviting them to step into an intimate dialogue with themselves, questioning learned perceptions and behaviours.

During his studies, he discovered a deep fascination with printmaking processes and refined an intuitive approach to colour and composition, demonstrating a clear passion for books, paper, and textures.

A Conscious Collaboration

I first met Carsten one afternoon in Hildesheim while visiting our dear common friend, Matthias Hinkelmann (also known as Pachakuti), who is a talented musician and member of the Sonic Interventions collective that I'm part of.

From that first encounter, I immediately sensed Carsten is a gentle soul and was impressed by his beautifully sensitive work. We can feel his profound appreciation for the craft reflected in the meticulous detailing.

Time passed, and he eventually worked with Sonic Interventions, creating fantastic work for us, from vinyl designs to posters and T-shirts. When it came time to release the EP "Return Of The Dawn" from the Aroma project, it just felt right to collaborate with Carsten. His refined taste and unique touch made him the perfect fit for the music’s energy.

We were on a tight schedule to release the EP, ideally yesterday, so I contacted him to present our work, which he immediately listened to. And Carsten agreed to support the project at the last minute! I'm so grateful that even with such a restrained timeline, he was able to create such a wonderful piece.

Unveiling the Textures of Aroma

Carsten’s work is a testament to the power of sensitive, mindful design. Every layer of the cover art is an invitation to listen deeper and look closer.

The finished cover uses a mesmerising blend of cool, deep blues and organic, hand-torn paper elements, creating a visual stillness. Just as the Aroma EP explores the relationship between organic textures and electronic rhythms, Carsten's design achieves a stunning balance between the raw, found texture and the precise geometry of the layout. It’s truly a visual mirror of the music's soul, inviting the listener to meditate on the space between the sound and the surface.

We hope to continue our work together on the next single, the second EP, and the full album. Thank you, Carsten, for making the unseen seen through your beautiful art.

Nane Kahle