A poet – that's Karl Otto Götz (* 1914) through and through: As the author of the numerous poems accompanying his life, and all the more so as a painter with a noteworthy ability to capture his poetic contemplations on canvas. In 1948, Götz became the only German to join the art group CoBrA – verbally as well as visually – and participated in the group's significant exhibitions in Amsterdam and Liège.

Initially inspired by the techniques of the Surrealist, by the early 1950s Götz's experimental approaches led him to the nascent Informel movement of post-war Germany. Götz became its leading figure, and is still regarded today as one of its most significant representatives. Following meticulous analysis and careful preparatory work, in an innovative technique of his own involving paintbrush, squeegee and a systematic process he brings the paint to the canvas in a manner that purposefully negates classical principles of form. The resultant, strongly expressive and gestural compositions oscillate in a realm between happenstance and methodology.

The artist, who turned 100 this year, can look back upon an eventful life, a complex and multi-faceted artistic oeuvre, and a sustained 60 years of influence on the West German art scene. DIE GALERIE is presenting a comprehensive retrospective of the truly exceptional artist.

A comprehensive catalog is available, edited by DIE GALERIE, 120 pages, with texts (German/English) by Prof. Rissa, Els Ottenhof, Dr. Franz Mon, and Ina Ströher.

K.O. [Karl Otto] Götz -
Curator Ina Ströher -

The Danish painter and art theorizer Asger Jorn (1914-1973) is considered one of the key figures of Avant-Garde of post-war Europe.
The retrospective exhibition at DIE GALERIE units approximately 50 objects, paintings, works on paper, sculptures and ceramics, thus illustrating all important creative periods from 1937 to 1972 in the life of the Danish artist. Due to its range of important periods and selection of different kind of artwork the retrospective solo show of Asger Jorn at DIE GALERIE is the by far the most outstanding of its kind.

His early work of the 1930s still displays the influence of Fernand Léger, Yves Tanguy, Paul Klee, Joan Miró and Max Ernst. His concepts of an art contrary to all norms and conventions made him a leading pioneer among the new generation of artists. Asger Jorn was a decisive influence on the art and appearance of the artist group CoBrA, which he founded in 1948 together with Karel Appel, Constant, Corneille, Christian Dotremont and Joseph Noiret.
Jorn's influence, as well as his questioning of artistic originality and his demand for the elimination of borders between high and low art, has left its mark on everything from Art Informel and Abstract Expressionism through Post-Modern Art.

Asger [Asger Oluf Jørgensen] Jorn -
Curator Elke Mohr -