JÖRG IMMENDORFF

He began his formal artistic training at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf and in 1964 Immendorff was admitted into the class of Joseph Beuys, then the most important artist working in Germany and a figure of profound influence for an entire generation of German artists. Immendorff’s relationship with Beuys marked the beginning of an intensely productive period for the young artist, who was deeply affected by the Beuysian notion that art can and should play a wider role in society. Joseph Beuys was a dynamic and polarizing figure who inspired Immendorff to challenge the traditions of fine art and the art academy.

In 1966, Immendorff painted the words ‘Hört auf zu malen’ (‘Stop Painting’) on a canvas; it was a major turning point in the artist’s early work and philosophy. ‘With this picture,’ he explained later, ‘I wanted to express my unease about a type of painting that is hermetic and does not take up any position in relation to external problems.’ Inspired by Immendorff and featuring his work, an exhibition titled “Stop Painting” is currently on view at the Fondazione Prada, Venice.

Text courtesy Michael Werner Gallery