With a large-scale exhibition, the Würth Museum honors the internationally renowned sculptor, graphic artist, and draftsman Stephan Balkenhol. As one of the most significant German figures in contemporary sculpture, he has provided decisive new impetus to figurative sculpture and continues to make his mark to this day—even in sometimes unusual locations in public spaces.
Characteristic of his work are his male and female figures dressed in simple, timeless everyday clothing. Their posture appears calm, their expressions are often restrained yet open at the same time. It is precisely this apparent simplicity that makes Balkenhol’s works so compelling: they do not tell evident stories, but instead leave room for personal thoughts, emotions, and questions.
The material equally plays an important role. Balkenhol works with solid blocks of wood from which he carves out his figures by using mallets and chisels. The traces of this process remain visible and give the sculptures a special presence, poised between rawness and vitality.
The exhibition at Museum Würth, created on the occasion of the artist’s 70th birthday, was developed in close collaboration with Stephan Balkenhol. Works from many of his creative periods including recent works offer an impressive insight into an oeuvre that has had a decisive impact on contemporary sculpture.
The material equally plays an important role. Balkenhol works with solid blocks of wood from which he carves out his figures by using mallets and chisels. The traces of this process remain visible and give the sculptures a special presence, poised between rawness and vitality.
The exhibition at Museum Würth, created on the occasion of the artist’s 70th birthday, was developed in close collaboration with Stephan Balkenhol. Works from many of his creative periods including recent works offer an impressive insight into an oeuvre that has had a decisive impact on contemporary sculpture.
