Wolfgang Sautermeister: nachtgelichtet - Zeichnung

In the organizer's words:

From July 14 to September 15, 2024, the Wilhelm-Hack-Museum in Ludwigshafen is presenting a solo exhibition by Mannheim-based artist Wolfgang Sautermeister in the Rudolf-Scharpf-Galerie, which focuses on the graphic work of the artist, who is particularly known for his performances.

The exhibition presents works from the last 30 years and demonstrates Sautermeister's multi-layered approach to the medium: Small and large formats, in various techniques, on paper, cardboard and wood, individually or in series, including both sketches and paintings, concrete and figurative works, collages, associative picture assemblages, artist's books and site-specific wall drawings.

Drawing has always been a central means of artistic expression for Sautermeister. His works are characterized by an experimental, intuitive approach, whereby cinematic quotations, the theme of landscape or manifestations of the spiritual are consistent themes that characterize his autobiographically imbued work. Drawing is used to record personal details, often in combination with writing or fragments of words, in search of a mystical poetry. It opens up spaces for thought and gives rise to unexpected relationships and connections. The artist finds his models in magazines, on record covers or old photographs, as well as in the observation of everyday things or occurrences. In some cases, there are references to Sautermeister's performative work, such as in the ongoing series Performative Gestures, which reflects his preoccupation with the body, or through the use of materials such as adhesive tape, which is regularly used in his performances.

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication that provides a comprehensive overview of this central strand of his artistic work with over 120 color illustrations from the period 1994 - 2024. In addition to a foreword by the director of the Wilhelm-Hack-Museum René Zechlin and an introduction by curator Dr. Astrid Ihle, a detailed text by art historian Dr. Lida von Mengden will place Sautermeister's graphic oeuvre in the context of his artistic work and contemporary drawing. In addition to documenting his drawings, the publication also offers an insight into Sauermeister's performative practice since the 1990s with numerous documentary photographs.

Curator: Dr. Astrid Ihle.

The exhibition is supported by BASF, the Karin & Carl-Heinrich Esser Foundation, the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, the Ministry for Family Affairs, Women, Culture and Integration and the Cultural Office of the City of Mannheim.