Gallery Bilder-Fuchs in Fulda is hosting a special exhibition to commemorate the 70th birthday of renowned German sculptor Ulrich Barnickel. Born in Weimar in 1955, Barnickel is considered one of Germany's most significant contemporary sculptors, particularly celebrated for his powerful and often monumental steel sculptures that combine clear forms with poetic expressiveness.
The captivating retrospective showcases Barnickel's characteristic steel sculptures alongside paintings by the artist that are being displayed for the first time, revealing new dimensions of his artistic practice. The exhibition, titled "DURCH-BLICK" (Through-View), features more than 50 works by Barnickel and is accompanied by the release of a new biography that illuminates the artist's life journey and creative development.
During the vernissage opening, numerous visitors and fans of the artist had the opportunity to discover his extraordinary works and engage in conversations with the sculptor and painter himself. The exhibition demonstrates Barnickel's exceptional ability to unite material, space, and movement into an expressive whole, with his sculptures appearing both powerful and sensitive, connecting the force of steel with a deep, almost spiritual lightness.
Barnickel explained his preference for steel as a medium, stating: "I work with steel because it offers resistance. In wrestling with the material, forms emerge that don't simply depict, but make something inner visible - memories, emotions, experiences. My sculptures should touch people without needing to explain themselves." His works showcase a reduced formal language and precise structure that successfully makes human feelings, memories, and tensions visible.
Johannes Stock, managing director of Gallery Bilder-Fuchs, expressed his enthusiasm about the exhibition: "We are very pleased to present such a diverse and significant selection of Ulrich Barnickel's works on the occasion of his 70th birthday. His art combines powerful materiality with deep human expression. It tells stories of history, change, and inner strength." The comprehensive display allows visitors to experience the full artistic spectrum of Barnickel's decades-long career, from his signature forged and welded steel sculptures to his newly revealed paintings that open fresh perspectives on his creative vision.
