Key takeaways
- Albert Oehlen is a renowned German artist known for his abstract paintings and association with German neo-expressionism.
- Oehlen's artistic style is characterized by a blend of genres, colors, and media, challenging traditional aesthetic conventions.
- He was a member of the avant-garde collective known as the 'Junge Wilde' ('Young Wild Ones'), which championed a new approach to art in the 1980s.
- Oehlen's works often explore the boundaries of abstract art, pushing the limits of what is considered "beautiful" or "acceptable" in the art world.
- His artistic contributions continue to be a topic of discussion and exhibition, reflecting ongoing relevance in contemporary art discussions.
- Oehlen's unique approach to art has been influenced by his studies under the influential artist Sigmar Polke at the Hochschule für Bildende Kunst, Hamburg.
Albert Oehlen
Albert Oehlen, a renowned German artist born in 1954 in Krefeld, Germany, graduated from the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Hamburg in 1981. His education under the influential Sigmar Polke played a pivotal role in shaping his distinctive approach to art. Known for blending Neo-Expressionism and German Neo-Expressionism, Oehlen's work challenges conventional ideas of beauty through a mix of genres, colors, and media.
Albert Oehlen was a key figure in the 1980s, joining the Neue Wilde or Junge Wilde ("Wild New" or "Wild Youth") movement in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, which emerged from a collective rejection of established artistic norms. The movement was marked by vibrant neon colors and a fusion of controlled yet spontaneous brushstrokes, using style rather than figurative representation to express the artists' dissatisfaction with their predecessors. As a member of the 'Junge Wilde,' Oehlen embraced the movement's rebellious energy, evident in his bold use of color and abstract forms.
Influenced by German painters like Georg Baselitz, Sigmar Polke, and Gerhard Richter, Oehlen centers his focus on the painting process itself. In the 1980s, he began blending abstract and figurative elements in his works, reacting against the dominant Neo-Expressionist style of the era. Over the years, he continued to work within self-imposed, often unconventional, boundaries.
By combining abstract, figurative, collaged, and computer-generated elements, Albert Oehlen continues to innovate with a diverse range of artistic techniques. His work integrates Expressionist brushwork, Surrealist gestures, and intentional amateurism, engaging deeply with painting's history while pushing its core elements—color, gesture, motion, and time—to daring new heights.
Oehlen's style has been shaped by movements like the Bad Painting movement, which embraced bold and experimental methods. Over his four-decade career, he has consistently expanded the limits of abstract art, solidifying his status as a pioneering force in the field.
The rise of Albert Oehlen in Neo-Expressionism and "Bad Painting" movements
Albert Oehlen emerged as a key figure in the 1980s art scene, becoming part of the Junge Wilde movement in Germany. This group sought to challenge traditional notions of beauty and art, favoring distorted figurations and unconventional juxtapositions as a counterpoint to the minimalism and conceptual art that had dominated the prior era.
Oehlen's work, alongside artists like Martin Kippenberger and Werner Büttner, played a pivotal role in the "Bad Painting" movement, characterized by crude techniques and rich political and social metaphors. Introduced by Marcia Tucker in 1978, this movement celebrated a raw, unpolished aesthetic. Oehlen further expanded his artistic repertoire by incorporating digital media, including computer-generated paintings, sparking significant interest in the evolving realm of digital art.
Strongly influenced by Jörg Immendorff’s style and Sigmar Polke’s teachings, Oehlen contributed to the resurgence of figurative painting within the German Neo-Expressionism movement. His involvement with the Cologne art scene connected him with notable figures such as his brother Markus Oehlen, Georg Herold, and Kippenberger. This collaboration fueled Oehlen’s critical approach and love for painting.
In his creative process, Oehlen often imposed self-restrictive rules, such as using only gray and brown palettes until 1987. However, he occasionally deviated from these constraints, notably in his provocative 1986 portrait of Hitler rendered in three primary colors. His bold, unconventional art continues to challenge perceptions and influence contemporary artistic practices.
Technical evolution: from canvas to computer
Albert Oehlen's artistic journey reflects a relentless pursuit of innovation. Transitioning from traditional canvas to computer-generated art, he embraced digital tools to push the boundaries of abstract expression. This shift allowed him to create layered works that blend collage and expressionism, establishing a distinctive visual language.
In his 1992 "Computer Paintings" series, Oehlen explored the intersection of art and technology using a Texas Instruments laptop. Black-and-white reticular diagrams were screen-printed onto canvas and then reworked by hand, combining organic vitality with deliberate composition. This approach bridged modernist themes of technological integration with a critical awareness of the ephemeral nature of progress.
Oehlen's work, which seamlessly merges traditional and digital media, reveals intricate and thought-provoking layers. His technical evolution has not only refined his unique style but also opened new creative pathways. The late 1990s saw him juxtaposing the muted monotony of his "Grey Paintings" ("Grau")—featuring figurative fragments—with vibrant, abstract compositions, demonstrating his mastery of contrast and complexity.
By continuously evolving his methods and embracing new technologies, Oehlen has maintained his relevance in the art world. His work remains both visually captivating and intellectually engaging, embodying a dynamic synthesis of precision, control, and creativity.
Albert Oehlen has transformed the art world with his innovative computer paintings, creating intricate, layered works that challenge traditional notions of beauty. His distinctive abstract style, infused with digital design, brings a dynamic and unique vitality to his art.
As a pioneer of computer-generated art, Oehlen has inspired others to explore the possibilities of digital mediums. His evolving abstract approach, characterized by bold colors and rich layers, continues to embrace new technologies and techniques, pushing the boundaries of contemporary art.
Other notable works
Albert Oehlen often worked within self-imposed, sometimes absurd constraints, such as using only gray tones for his "Grey" paintings. In 2002, he exhibited the "Self-Portraits" series, which featured eight works, including "Frühstück Now (Self-Portrait)" (1984), "Self-Portrait With Open Mouth" (2001), and "Self-Portrait as a Dutch Woman" (1983).
In his more recent works, flat, figurative cut-outs created through computer-aided design (CAD) merge with gestural strokes of oil paint, exemplifying his unique approach to collage. His "Finger Paintings" incorporate color-blocked advertisements as extensions of the canvas, serving as fragmented, readymade surfaces for his visceral markings made with hands, brushes, rags, and spray cans.
In 2014, Skarstedt Gallery in New York showcased Oehlen’s "Fabric Paintings" exhibition, which included 14 of the 20 paintings created between 1992 and 1996. The following year, the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York hosted "Albert Oehlen: Home and Garden," his first major New York exhibition, featuring self-portraits from the 1980s and 1990s.
In other series, such as the "Baumbilder (Tree Paintings)," Oehlen explored a limited palette and intertwined black lines with carefully blended gradations. His "Elevator Paintings" from 2016, a single work in nine parts, juxtaposed bright and muddy colors through techniques of erasure and layering. In the late 1990s, he innovatively spray-painted over collaged imagery that had been transferred to canvas using industrial printers typically designed for billboard production.
Exhibitions and public collections
Albert Oehlen's work has been showcased internationally in numerous exhibitions, including "I Will Always Champion Good Painting" at Whitechapel Art Gallery in London (2006), "Groundswell" at the Museum of Modern Art in New York (2005), "Provins – Legende" at the Museet for Samtidskunst in Roskilde, Denmark, and "Spiegelbilder 1982–1985" at Max Hetzler Gallery in Berlin (2005). In 2013, a major retrospective of his work from the 1980s to 2005, featuring over 80 pieces, was held at MUMOK in Vienna. Oehlen's art was also included in the 2013 Venice Biennale. A survey of his work spanning over 30 years was displayed at the Cleveland Museum of Art from December 4, 2016, to March 12, 2017.
Oehlen’s works are part of prestigious public collections, including those at the Art Institute of Chicago, Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, Fonds National d'Art Contemporain in Puteaux, Hamburger Kunsthalle in Hamburg, Musée National d'Art Moderne in Paris, Museum für Moderne Kunst (MMK) in Frankfurt/Main, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Museum of Modern Art in New York, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid, Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, Saatchi Gallery in London, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and Tate Modern in London.
Art market
Albert Oehlen is highly regarded in the art market and widely celebrated for his contributions to contemporary art. In 2014, one of his self-portraits from 1984 sold for $1.8 million at a Christie's auction in London, nearly three times its high estimate of $670,000. At a March 2017 Christie's auction, Oehlen's "Self-Portrait with Palette" fetched $3,623,230. In June 2019, his "Self-Portrait with Empty Hands" was sold at a Sotheby's auction in London to dealer Per Skarstedt for $7,542,157, setting a new record for the artist.
FAQ
What is Albert Oehlen's style of painting?
Albert Oehlen is famous for his abstract paintings. His work is bold and colorful. It combines different materials and techniques.
How did Oehlen's early life and education influence his artistic development?
Oehlen's love for art started early, thanks to his father's design work. His education at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Hamburg was key. His teacher, Sigmar Polke, also played a big role in shaping his style.
How did Oehlen's experimentation with computer paintings and collage expand his creative possibilities?
Using computers and collage, Oehlen found new ways to create. He mixed elements to make complex, layered art. This opened up new possibilities for his style.
What is the critical reception and art market impact of Oehlen's work?
Critics love Oehlen's bold style, seen in works like "Die Pfeifenden von (The Whistlers of)". His art is in top museums worldwide. It shows his big impact on modern art.
How has Oehlen's artistic vision and innovation influenced the art world?
Oehlen's work in abstract and figurative art has changed the art scene. His use of new media has inspired many artists. He has shaped the art world's future.
Selena Mattei
