Franz Erhard Walther Wins Golden Lion at Venice Biennale
Franz Erhard Walther, born in 1939 in Fulda, Germany, has been awarded the Golden Lion for best artist at the 2017 Venice Biennale. The jury praised his work for combining forms, colors, fabrics, sculpture, and performance to actively engage the viewer. Walther is considered a pioneer of Minimal, Conceptual, and Performance art, known for participating in landmark exhibitions such as When Attitude Becomes Form (1969) and dOCUMENTA V (1972). The Golden Lion for lifetime achievement was awarded to Carolee Schneemann. A video from the series Pratiche d’Artista, produced by the Biennale, shows Walther working in his studio on his famous wearable sculptures.
Key facts
- Franz Erhard Walther won the Golden Lion at the 2017 Venice Biennale.
- He was born in 1939 in Fulda, Germany.
- He is a pioneer of Minimal, Conceptual, and Performance art.
- He participated in When Attitude Becomes Form (1969) and dOCUMENTA V (1972).
- The Biennale jury praised his work for combining forms, colors, fabrics, sculpture, and performance.
- Carolee Schneemann received the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement.
- A video from the series Pratiche d’Artista shows Walther in his studio.
- The Biennale's International Exhibition was curated by Christine Macel.
Entities
Artists
- Franz Erhard Walther
- Carolee Schneemann
- Christine Macel
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- Artribune
Locations
- Fulda
- Germany
- Venice
- Italy