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The sculptor Ekkehard
Altenburger grew up on a farm at the Swiss / German border, and
has been based in the UK since 1995.
Altenburger studied sculpture - first at Bremen's Hochschule fuer
Kuenste and later at Edinburgh College of Art. He finished his studies
in 1999 with an MA from Chelsea College of Art in London. Prior
to his academic studies, he worked as master mason at the Gothic
Cathedral of Schwabisch Gmuend in South Germany.
Architecture always has
influenced his work, which was the main reason for moving to London,
to develop a practice very much inspired by the city that constantly
inspires, challenges and informs his work. Meeting and filming the
then 94 year old architect Oscar Niemeyer in 2001 in his office
at the Copacabana left a lasting influence.
His work explores the
physical balance of the built environment, using architectural references
as well as sculptural volumes of physical material. This balance
is also represented in the relationship between form and surface
of a sculpture. Altenburger often uses texture and colour to manipulate
surfaces, adding a further layer of information to a sculptural
form.
Altenburger works in
heavy materials, mainly steel and stone. Many of his works are in
the public domain, where he developed site specific works for both
private and public clients.
Due to the scale of his works, Altenburger regularly works with
quarries and Granite facories and has established strong ties within
the industry.
Altenburger has shown
his work extensively in Europe and overseas. Recent exhibitions
include PUBLIC PROPOSALS Chelsea future space London and Carlos
Woods Gallery in Guatemala City.
He has works both in
the UK and throughout Europe but also more recently in central America.
He lives with his family in London and is member of APT studios
in Deptford, South London.
www.altenburger.org.uk
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© Ekkehard
Altenburger 2010
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