THOMAS SCHÜTTE / I AM NOT ALONE

Synopsis

The work of Thomas Schütte always centers on humanity. His pieces embody both gravity and lightness, yet they also depict damage, power dynamics, fears, dependencies, as well as strange, evil, and beautiful figures.
Schütte studied at the Düsseldorf Art Academy from 1973 to 1981 under Fritz Schwegler and Gerhard Richter. Today, he is considered one of the most significant contemporary artists, with his work featured in major museums and collections worldwide.
At the end of 2007, his piece "Model for a Hotel," made of colored glass plates, was selected for the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, London. His sculpture "Vater Staat" is part of the collections at the Art Institute of Chicago and the National Gallery in Berlin. The bronze sculpture "United Enemies" was exhibited in Central Park, New York, from March 5 to August 25, 2013.
Central to his artistic practice are hands-on activities such as drawing, watercolor painting, modeling, sculpting with clay and plasticine, and building with wood and other materials.
A film about Schütte is actually long overdue, but we are capturing the perfect moment: planned projects include a major retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and in Venice.
Unlike many artists of his generation, Schütte’s works demonstrate a profound knowledge of craft techniques, closely linking him to his workshops. He works with ceramics, bronze, wood, glass, and paper. Whether it’s his sculptures (like "Nixe"), architectural projects such as the Skulpturenhalle and the Spàrta Hut, or the larger-than-life "Man in Mud," Schütte's works always possess a compelling physical presence that makes them intriguing to a broad audience.