Christiane Erdmann
WORKS // INFO // BIOGRAPHY // EXHIBITIONS // COLLECTIONS
WORKS
Christiane Erdmann | Lady Eve #1091 | 2014 | Holz, farbig lasiert | Höhe: 175 cm
Christiane Erdmann | Geisha #1099 | 2015 | Holz, farbig lasiert | Höhe: 159 cm
Christiane Erdmann | BoyI #1087 | 2014 | Holz, farbig lasiert | Höhe: 173 cm
Christiane Erdmann | Shakespeare #1094 | 2014 | Holz, farbig lasiert | Höhe: 156 cm
Christiane Erdmann | Kuh (#990) | 2024 | Holz, farbig gefasst | Höhe: 116 cm
Christiane Erdmann | Hirschkuh (#1123) | 2016 | Holz, farbig gefasst | Höhe 138 cm
Christiane Erdmann | Wildschwein (#1113) | 2015 | Holz, geflämmt | Höhe 129 cm
Christiane Erdmann | Hirschkuh (#1121) | Holz, farbig gefasst | Höhe 113 cm
Christiane Erdmann | Retriever (#1163) | 2018 | Holz, farbig gefasst | Höhe 112 cm
ARTIST
Christiane Erdmann
Christiane Erdmann, born in Bonn in 1950, grew up in Istanbul and Berlin and lived and worked in Rome for several years. She trained at the Werkkunstschule Wiesbaden. She worked in stage design at the Hessian State Theatre in Wiesbaden and the National Theatre in Mannheim. She held a teaching position at the Academy of Fine Arts at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz. Her exhibition projects and gallery representations extend beyond Germany to Hong Kong, Italy and Switzerland. As a freelance artist, Christiane Erdmann initially focussed on photography and metal sculpture before turning to wood sculpture in 1994. Christiane Erdmann is co-founder of the “Künstlerverein Walkmühle” and has made a name for herself there as curator of numerous themed exhibitions.
About Christiane Erdmann’s work
A translation of the text
by Harald Lubasch | Stefani Blumenbecker
The chainsaw has found its way into sculpture. It is an extremely effective tool that allows fast and almost spontaneous work. As a rule, sculptors use the chainsaw to peel the rough shape out of the wood. Christiane Erdmann’s work is different: the trace of the tool, which is misunderstood as brute, is (almost) never completely erased by finer working methods. The various stages of the working process are part of the finished work and are cultivated as a stylistic device. The cutting mark of the saw chain may have been used like a pencil that shines through the final coloured version of the sculpture. And – Christiane Erdmann works out of the grown trunk. Cracks or twists, which can occur as her material dries, are not intentional but are accepted as a living ingredient – wood works.
Christiane Erdmann works figuratively. They are images of people and animals, little abstracted or approximating their appearance. As full figures, torsos or busts. In the classical tradition of sculpture, the human figure has always been the measure and dominant theme. In Christiane Erdmann’s work, scenic depictions and a whole menagerie of animals of all kinds are added to this.
In the portrayals of people, girls and young women predominate. They stage themselves self-confidently, provoke, pose. A trace of insecurity, doubt, self-doubt sometimes remains. Then again quite naturally. Erdmann’s type of young woman caused a media furore years ago as a new generation of girls and was given her own “girly” label. All the human figures tell the viewer something about themselves or offer them something.
A production by Robert Wilson realises this scenically. The Berliner Ensemble performed the play “Shakespeare’s Sonnets”. She freezes gestures, facial expressions and costumes that she has identified as typical and striking and translates them masterfully into her language, the material wood.
Animals often appear in herds, flocks, swarms or packs. Erdmann is a close observer and a great friend of the fauna. No two animals are alike. They are all individuals that communicate with each other. As already mentioned, all the works are created from a single piece of wood and so the sculpture appears eternally connected to the trunk from which it was freed. The trunk remains the “end of the earth”.
With her still lifes, Christiane Erdmann has now opened up a whole new genre. She has dedicated herself to a theme that was previously reserved for classical painting. As a sculptor, she has now elevated it into the third dimension. Fruit, vegetables, hunted pheasants, wine glasses, candles and other typical utensils grow out of the trunk. With the “nonfoodstills” she also reaches into the “vanitas box” and skulls, hourglasses, keys, books and other objects appear.
And then she extends the classic still life – the arrangement of inanimate objects – and invents the “bags”. A handbag is an expression of individual personality and as Erdmann shamelessly “empties” the contents of the bags onto the block, they naturally also reveal information about the wearer. There are lipsticks, tablets, cigarettes, perfume, sweets, glasses and all sorts of other things… These works, like many others, speak of the artist’s great sense of humour.
“There is still nothing definitive for me in my work, everything is always new, I am constantly learning: That’s why I don’t want to be pinned down – panta rhei – . If I had the feeling of finality, I would feel like a plagiariser of myself. Then it’s high time to turn to something new.” – Christiane Erdmann
BIOGRAPHY
1950
Born in Bonn
1951 – 59
Childhood in Istanbul
1959
Move to Berlin
1969 – 77
Werkkunstschule Wiesbaden, study of ceramics, sculpture and photography Fachhochschule Wiesbaden
Diploma in design
1977 – 80
Worked at the Hessian State Theater, Wiesbaden
1980 – 83
Relocation to Rome, work focus on ceramic sculpture and photography/film
1983 – 90
Own stage design and assistant stage design (Nationaltheater Mannheim, Staatstheater Wiesbaden, Pariser Hoftheater Wiesbaden)
Focus on photography
1991 – 93
Main focus on metal sculpture since 1994 Main focus on wood sculpture
1994 – 03
Studio scholarship at the Kunsthaus Wiesbaden
2005
Founding member of the “Künstlerverein Walkmühle”, Wiesbaden
2009
Lectureship at the academy of fine arts, Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz
2021
Work scholarship Hessische Kulturstiftung
2022
Scholarship of the Hessisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst
ARTIST’S STUDIO
EXHIBITIONS
(S) = Solo Exhibition / Einzelausstellung
(G) = Group Exhibition / Gruppenausstellung
SOLO EXHIBITIONS & GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2020s
2025
Dreiklang, Galerie Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt/Main, Germany (G)
2024
Galerie Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt am Main, Germany / Art Karlsruhe
Jubiläumsausstellung Artothek Wiesbaden, Kunsthalle Wiesbaden, Germany (G)
Galerie Michael W. Schmalfuss,“Tierisch“, Berlin, Germany (G)
2023
Rubrechtcontemporaray, “Betörend”, Wiesbaden, Germany (S)
25. Skulpturenpark Mörfelden, Preisträger, Mörfelden-Waldorf, Germany (G)
2020
Nassauischer Kunstverein, Wiesbaden, Germany (G)
Poesie im Park, Wiesbaden, Schlosspark Biebrich, Germany (G)
Kunsthaus Wiesbaden/Darmstadt, „Glück“, Germany (G)
Galerie Bode, Nürnberg, Germany (S)
2010s
2019
Galerie Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S)
Kunstforum Seligenstadt, „Tierisch“ Seligenstadt, Germany (G)
2018
Galerie Bengelsträter, Düsseldorf / Iserlohn, Germany (S)
Rathaus Wiesbaden, „Feminismus Heute? Ja, Bitte“, Wiesbaden, Germany (G)
Galerie Michael W. Schmalfuss, „Marburger Nacht Der Kunst“, Marburg, Germany (G)
Mörfelden-Waldorf, „21 Skulpturenpark“, Mörfelden, Waldorf, Germany (G)
Nidda-Bad Salzhausen, „Werkforum 2018“, Skulpturen im Park, Nidda, Germany (G)
Galerie Michael W. Schmalfuss Berlin, „Skulpturen in der Löwenvilla-Potsdam“, Potsdam, Germany (G)
2017
Galerie Kerstner, Kronberg, Germany (S)
Galerie Michael W. Schmalfuss, „16 Jahre Michael Schmalfuss“, Marburg, Germany (G)
Galerie Cerny+Partner, „Kostbar“, Wiesbaden, Germany (G)
Galerie Michael W. Schmalfuss Berlin, „Stilleben Still-Alive“, Berlin, Germany (G)
2016
Galerie Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S)
Salon für Kultur Clemenstrasse 9, Munich, Germany (S)
Galerie Michael W. Schmalfuss, Marburg, Germany (S)
2015
Schmalfuss Contemporary Fine Art, Berlin, Germany (S)
Schaalsee Galerie, Dargow, Germany (S)
Museum Schloss Wehen, Taunusstein, Germany (S)
Galerie am Dom, Wetzlar, Germany (S)
Weingut Baron Knyphausen / Galerie Cerny+Partner, Eltville-Erbach, Germany (G)
2014
Galerie Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S)
Galerie Hovestadt, Nottuln, Germany (S)
Galerie Kerstner, Kronberg i. Ts., Germany (S)
Galerie Cerny + Partner, Wiesbaden, Germany (S)
Galerie Michael W. Schmalfuss, »Summertime«, Marburg, Germany (G)
2013
Galerie Michael W. Schmalfuss, Marburg, Germany (S)
Galerie Kerstner, Kronberg i. Ts., Germany (S)
Galerie Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S)
Museum im Wehener Schloss, Taunusstein, Germany (S)
Galerie Cerny + Partner, Wiesbaden, Germany (S)
Galerie Michael W. Schmalfuss, »Mutterbilder«, Marburg, Germany (G)
Galerie Jutta Bengelsträter, Düsseldorf, Germany (G)
Galerie Kerstner, »Badefreuden«, Kronberg i. Ts., Germany (G)
Galerie Barbara von Stechow, »Rückblick«, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (G)
2012
Schmalfuss Contemporary Fine Art, Berlin, Germany (S)
UBS AG, Wiesbaden, Germany (S)
Galerie Cerny + Partner, Wiesbaden, Germany (S)
Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery, Hong Kong, China (S)
2011
Galerie Barbara von Stechow, Franfurt am Main, Germany (S)
UBS AG, Wiesbaden, Germany (S)
Galerie Jutta Bengelsträter, Düsseldorf, Germany (S)
Salon für Kultur Clemenstrasse 9, Munich, Germany (S)
Galerie Barbara von Stechow, »New Talents«, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (G)
Galerie Cerny + Partner, »Schwarz-Weiss«, Wiesbaden, Germany (G)
Künstlerverein Walkmühle, »Motiv Architektur«, Wiesbaden, Germany (G)
Galerie Barbara von Stechow, »Rückblick« Frankfurt am Main, Germany (G)
2010
»Preisträgerin des Skulpturenparks 2009«, Kommunale Galerie, Mörfelden-Waldorf, Germany (S)
Galleria Le5Venice, Venice, Italy (S)
UBS AG Wiesbaden, Germany (S)
Galerie Cerny + Partner, Wiesbaden, Germany (S)
Eintracht-Museum, »Fussballkünstler«, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (G)
Galerie Michael W. Schmalfuss, »Sommernachtstraum«, Marburg, Germany (G)
Galerie Jutta Bengelsträter, »Skulptur plus«, Düsseldorf, Germany (G)
2000s
2009
Eurohypobank, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S)
Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery, Hong Kong, China (S)
Galerie CP, Wiesbaden, Germany (S)
Galerie Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S)
UBS AG, Wiesbaden , Germany (S)
Mörfelden-Walldorf, »Skulpturenpark Mörfelden«, Germany (G)
Mainz, »3x klingeln«, Germany (G)
Galerie Barbara von Stechow, »Rückschau« Frankfurt am Main, Germany (G)
2008
Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery, Hong Kong, China (S)
UBS AG, Wiesbaden , Germany (S)
Galerie Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S)
Galerie Barbara von Stechow, »The Beach«, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (G)
2007
Galerie Wild, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (S)
Global Art Source, Zurich, Switzerland (S)
2006
Deutsche Klinik für Diagnostik, Wiesbaden, Germany (S)
Galerie Lindern, Lindern, Germany (S)
Galerie CP, Wiesbaden, Germany (S)
2005
Galerie Needien, Neede, The Netherlands (S)
Regionalgalerie Südhessen, Darmstadt, Germany (S)
Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery, Hong Kong, China (S)
Haus der Kunst, »Grosse Kunstausstellung, III. Dimension«, Munich, Germany (G)
2004
Galerie Holly Snapp, Venice, Italy (S)
2003
Galerie Leonardis, Oberursel, Germany (S)
Global Art Source, Zurich, Switzerland (S)
Museum im Wehener Schloss, »Ein Dutzend«, Taunusstein, Germany (G)
2002
Airportclub, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Werkstatt im Exil, Basel, Switzerland (Project)
2001
Museum Schloss Wehen, Taunusstein, Germany
Aventis/Internistenkongress, Rhein-Main-Halle, Wiesbaden, Germany
Galerie Leonardis, Oberursel, Germany
Galerie Wild, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery, Hong Kong, China
Galerie Netuschil, Darmstadt, Germany
2000
Galerie Artlantis, Bad Homburg, Germany
Galerie Wild, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Rhein-Main-Halle, Wiesbaden, Germany
FAIRS
since 2002
»Artfair Cologne«, Germany
»Art Karlsruhe«, Germany
»Art Madrid-Cibeles«, Spain
»Chicago Art Fair«, U.S.A.
»Fine Art Cologne«, Germany
»Kunst Zürich«, Switzerland
»Palm Beach«, U.S.A.
„Art Bodensee“, Germany
„Nordart“, Germany
„Art Frankfurt“, Germany
„Art The Hague“, Den Haag, Netherlands
COLLECTIONS
Advanced Competent Group AG, Wiesbaden
Artothek, Wiesbaden
Bank Sarasin, Hong Kong, China
Bank Paribas, Hong Kong, China
Credit Suisse, Hong Kong, China
DKD – Deutsche Klinik für Diagnostik, Wiesbaden
Hang Lung Real Estate Agency, Hong Kong, China
Heraeus Holding, Hanau
Horizon Suite Hotel, Hong Kong, China
Landeshauptstadt Wiesbaden
Morgan Stanley, Frankfurt am Main
Nassauische Sparkasse, Wiesbaden
Pacific Century Premium Developments Ltd., Hong Kong, China
Sheraton Hotel, Hong Kong, China
Stefan Quandt Collection
Tschira Stiftung, Stuttgart
UBS Art Foundation, Zürich, Switzerland
Union Square, The Harbour Side, Hong Kong, China
Westdeutsche Immobilienbank, Germany