Monumentalism 21st century
Ulrich Rückriem is a German sculptor known for his large-scale stone sculptures that are often displayed in public spaces. He studied at the Werkkunstschule Krefeld and the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf.
Rückriem's early work was influenced by the Minimalist movement, and he became known for creating abstract, geometric sculptures from raw stone blocks. He often works with granite, basalt, and other types of hard stone, using traditional carving techniques to shape and refine his forms.
In the 1970s, Rückriem began creating large-scale public installations, including his "Stone Alignments" series, which consists of rows of standing stones that evoke ancient megaliths and other prehistoric monuments. His work often engages with the natural environment, creating a dialogue between the man-made and the organic.
Rückriem has exhibited his work in museums and galleries around the world, including the Tate Gallery in London, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, and the Kunstmuseum Bonn in Germany. He has also received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of sculpture, including the International Sculpture Prize in 1987 and the Praemium Imperiale in 2010.
Walter Ufer is an American illustrator and muralist. He received his formal art education in Hamburg and Dresden, where he befriended the American artists Joseph Henry Sharpe and Ernest Blumenschein. In 1906, Ufer moved to Taos, New Mexico, where he became part of a group of painters known as the Taos Society of Artists.
Walter Ufer was drawn to the rugged landscape of the American West and the culture and daily life of the Pueblo Native Americans. Ufer's paintings are characterized by vivid colours and a free-spirited style of painting, conveying the energy and movement of his subjects. He often paints scenes of hunting, horseback riding and other outdoor activities.
Ufer's work was widely acclaimed during his lifetime and he received many awards for his paintings.