Wols: From the Street to the Cosmos

Kawamura Memorial DIC Museum of Art

Finished

Artists

Wols

Wols (1913-1951) was a rare and enigmatic artist whose creative efforts ranged from music and poetry to painting, in which he was self-taught. Having grown up in Germany after World War I, Wols moved to Paris, where he became recognized initially as a photographer in the 1930s. When war broke out between Germany and France, he was interned in French prison camps as a German national where he spent his time absorbed in watercolors and drawing. Wols also began working in oil paints and in the postwar period developed a style unbound by conventional oil painting technique. His work was appreciated by literary figures of the day such as Jean-Paul Sartre, which prompted commissions for illustrations for their books that Wols executed in etching. However, these artistic activities were cut short when Wols died at the tragically young age of 38. Although he died in poverty, soon after his death Wols’ work gained recognition as a forerunner of Art Informel.

This exhibition will present a range of works by this intermedia artist, including photographs, watercolors, oil paintings and engravings. It is the first time that as many as 120 works by Wols have been introduced in Japan.

[Related Events]
Special Gallery Talk
Event Date: May 17 (Sat) 14:00-15:00 (meet in Entrance Hall at 14:00)
Speakers: Keiichiro Hirano (author)
Admission: Free (exhibition ticket required)

*Events in Japanese. Please see the official website for details, reservations, and information on more related events.

Schedule

Apr 1 (Sat) 2017-Jul 2 (Sun) 2017