A.R. Penck: Retrospective in Mendrisio Highlights Outsider Artist's Legacy
A major exhibition in Mendrisio, Switzerland, explores the work of A.R. Penck (1939–2017), the German artist who fled East Berlin on foot in 1980. Penck, born Ralf Winkler in Dresden, developed a unique visual language rooted in cybernetics and information theory during the 1960s, creating 'Systembilder' (system paintings). Despite his alignment with the communist regime's call for accessible art, his crude stick figures—inspired by public bathroom graffiti—were deemed unacceptable in East Germany. The show features his iconic paintings, sculptures, and artist's books, the latter revealing his skill as a portraitist. Penck's work, influenced by avant-garde masters like Malevich and Picasso, was misunderstood both in the East and West, serving as a symbolic commentary on power through totemic animals like snakes and eagles. The exhibition is held in a beautifully restored former convent.
Key facts
- Exhibition in Mendrisio, Switzerland, focuses on A.R. Penck.
- Penck fled East Berlin on foot in 1980.
- Born Ralf Winkler in Dresden (1939), died in Zurich (2017).
- Developed Systembilder (system paintings) in the 1960s.
- His style incorporates graffiti-like stick figures.
- Influenced by Malevich, Kandinsky, Picasso, Duchamp, Picabia, Dalí.
- Artist's books show his portrait skills.
- Exhibition venue is a restored former convent.
Entities
Artists
- A.R. Penck
- Ralf Winkler
- Kazimir Malevich
- Wassily Kandinsky
- Pablo Picasso
- Marcel Duchamp
- Francis Picabia
- Salvador Dalí
Institutions
- Artribune
Locations
- Mendrisio
- Switzerland
- Dresden
- Zurich
- Berlin
- East Berlin
- West Berlin