Germany
* January 17, 1934 Neuhäuser
† May 28, 2013 Jockgrim
In contrast to the works of Herbert Mehler and Bernar Venet, whose sculptures made of Corten steel appear rather delicate and open despite their size, Franz Bernhard’s massive figures made of the same material appear gigantic and threatening. The artist’s main design element is the human body, which – reduced to a minimum of core elements – is only vaguely recognizable.
True to the motto “Form is everything”, Bernhard’s figures are a new creation of rough shapes that remain abstract and yet evoke associations with basic human postures such as lying or sitting. A recurring basic motif is the head, which the artist depicts individually, in series or in combination with other works. Franz Bernhard’s unmistakable sculptures can now be found in more than 20 German cities.
