Joseph Beuys

Joseph Heinrich Beuys was a German visual artist. He was a professor in Düsseldorf. Beuys is considered one of the most influential German artists of the second half of the 20th century. He was best known for his sculptures and objects, performances and Fluxus concerts.

His early oeuvre mainly consists of drawings and watercolors that, like his early sulputres, are still directly related to reality, although his figures usually have a symbolic meaning. Thousands of drawings and watercolors emerged in the 1950s, for which he used unconventional materials such as: tea, stain and fruit juices. Common themes were women, all kinds of animals and mythological subjects.

In 1962 Beuys came into contact with the Fluxus movement and the multidisciplinary performance art of that group. Beuys has participated in several Fluxus festivals and is considered one of the most important and famous members, although he soon took his own direction. His work also changed: instead of drawing, he started doing many more performances. Beuys believed that in this way he could make his art play a more important role in society.