Gotthard Graubner

Gotthard Graubner is one of the most important representatives of German colour painting. He is primarily concerned with colour and its nuances, which convey a sense of space in his works through glazes. From 1962 he produced his first cushion paintings. Foam cores are covered with paint-soaked linen and thus become “colour stays”. In 1970, the term “Farbraumkörper” (“colour space body”) refers to the interplay of the painterly and the plastic with space.

Gotthard Graubner initially studied with Arthur Degner at the HBK Berlin-Charlottenburg until he studied with Rudolph Wilhelm at the Dresden Art Academy from 1951 to 1952. Two years later he left the GDR and became a master student with Georg Meistermann at the Düsseldorf Art Academy. After completing his studies in 1969, he became a professor at the HBK Hamburg until 1995, during which time he took part in documenta 4 and 5 in Kassel as well as the 11th São Paulo Biennial. He became a member of the Berlin Art Academy from 1973-92 and professor at the Düsseldorf Art Academy from 1973-1998. In 1982 he represented the Federal Republic of Germany at the Venice Biennale. Graubner repeatedly won important prizes. He was awarded the Cross of Merit 1st Class in 1992 and the Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2002. In 1996 he became a member of the Dresden Art Academy. Since 1997, Insel Hombroich has been the location of his studio.