A.R. Penck

A.R. Penck was born in 1939 in Dresden, Germany. He died in 2017 in Zürich, Switzerland.

During his artistry Penck developed a universal imagery language, called Standarts, the language was based on simple symbols and figures, easy for everyone to decode. From the early 1980’s he was recognized as one of the leaders of the German Neo-Expressionist movement with his primitive imagery world, rendered in paintings, prints, and sculpture.

Selected solo exhibitions include Fondation Maeght, France (2017); Museum Ludwig, Cologne (2010, 1978); Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (2008); Schirn Kunsthalle, Frankfurt (2007); Museo Rufino Tamayo, Mexico City (1996); The Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin (1991); Gemeentemuseum, The Hague (1988); Stedelijk Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven (1975) and Kunsthalle Bern, Switzerland (1975). Penck participated in the 41st Venice Biennale (1984), as well as documenta 5, 6, 7 and 9 (1972, 1977, 1982, 1992).

Penck’s works are included in collections as Museum of Modern Art, New York; Tate Gallery, London; Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago; Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin and Centre George Pompidou, Paris.