Bernd Zimmer, a pivotal figure in the Neue Wilde movement, has made significant contributions to Contemporary German Art through his vibrant, nature-inspired works. If you're looking for Bernd Zimmer original prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network's most in-demand works.
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Bernd Zimmer emerged as a prominent figure in the German art scene during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Born in 1948 in Planegg, Germany, Zimmer's artistic journey began unconventionally. Initially working in publishing, he moved to Berlin in 1973 to study Philosophy and Religious Studies at the Free University of Berlin.
It was in Berlin that Zimmer's artistic career took flight. In 1977, he co-founded the Galerie am Moritzplatz, which was closely affiliated with the Neue Wilde movement. This group, also known as the New Fauves, rejected the dominant conceptual and minimalist art trends of the time, instead embracing a return to figurative painting characterised by bold colours and expressive brushwork.
Zimmer's work, while part of this movement, developed a distinct identity. His paintings, often large-scale, explore the interplay between nature, cosmic phenomena, and human spirituality. This approach quickly garnered attention, leading to his first solo exhibition in 1979 and the Karl Schmidt-Rottluff scholarship in the same year.
Zimmer's artistic career gained momentum in the early 1980s. His participation in the groundbreaking Heftige Malerei (Violent Painting) exhibition at the Haus am Waldsee in Berlin in 1980 marked a turning point, propelling him and his contemporaries to international recognition. This exhibition, which communicated the movement’s rebellious spirit, featured works by Zimmer, Rainer Fetting, and Helmut Middendorf.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Zimmer's work evolved, moving beyond the urban-inspired themes of his early career towards a sensitive engagement with nature. His travels, particularly to Mexico, India, and Nepal, influenced his artistic output. These experiences inspired his celebrated Reflexion series, which showcases his ability to capture the vitality, movement and light in natural landscapes.
In 2001, Zimmer embarked on an ambitious project that would become a defining aspect of his later career. He began work on STOA169, a columned hall in Upper Bavaria featuring 121 columns created by artists from around the world. This monumental work, completed in 2020, is a testament to Zimmer's commitment to collaboration, unity and a respectful relationship with nature.
Zimmer's contributions to Contemporary Art have been recognised through numerous solo exhibitions at prestigious institutions, including the Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich in 1985. His works are held in notable collections, such as the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin.