Jörg Immendorff Survey at Moore College Reassesses German Artist

An extensive exhibition titled 'I Wanted to be an Artist' showcases Jörg Immendorff's career at the Golden Paley Galleries, Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, from January 23 to March 21. Immendorff, who gained American fame in the 1980s due to a misperceived link to neo-expressionism, was born in 1945. His generation grappled with Germany's tumultuous past and contemporary issues. Influenced by Joseph Beuys in the early 1960s, his works reflected political turmoil and Fluxus, including a 1965 anti-Vietnam War petition signed by Beuys. Immendorff’s transition to painting merged conceptual ideas with political themes, notably in his 'Café Deutschland' series (1978-83), featuring figures like Mao and Brecht. In the 1990s, he incorporated theater, collaborating with artists such as Baselitz and Lüpertz. His later absence may relate to the Berlin Wall's fall, underscoring his significant impact and lasting legacy.