Reinhold Petermann / Dale Grant Sculpture & Portrait

Reinhold Petermann / Dale Grant Sculpture & Portrait

To mark the 100th birthday of sculptor Reinhold Petermann (1925-2016), we are presenting a special dual exhibition that brings classical sculpture and contemporary portrait photography into an exciting dialogue. The exhibition combines 30 selected sculptures from Petermann’s extensive oeuvre with a photographic series by Dale Grant, whose new book ‘Face: The Berlin Art Scene’ will be presented to the public for the first time in this context.

Reinhold Petermann – Figure in Space

Reinhold Petermann is one of the outstanding figurative sculptors of the post-war period in Germany, whose work has had a significant influence on the modern sculpture landscape. Born in Boos an der Nahe and later based in Mainz, he developed a multifaceted oeuvre characterised by an intensive exploration of physicality, movement and interpersonal relationships. His artistic career began during his time as a prisoner of war in Scotland, where he created his first wood carvings. After the war, he studied at the Landeskunstschule Mainz under Emy Roeder. Following his training, he developed a unique formal language characterised by clear lines, powerful expressiveness and a deep understanding of materiality.  With his numerous works in public spaces, he left his mark on the Rhineland-Palatinate region and beyond. He also worked for many years as a restorer at the Roman-Germanic Central Museum and as a lecturer at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz.

The selection curated by Henner Merle shows iconic works such as Tangopaar, Der Sieger, Fußballer, Familie, Eisverkäufer, Menschenpaar and Große Hockende, complemented by smaller animal sculptures and abstract sculptures. Petermann’s works are always imbued with a deep humanity, a sensitive gift for observation and a will to form that combines classical themes with modern materiality. Bronze, iron, stainless steel, polyester and acrylic – his materials are just as diverse as his stylistic forms of expression.

Further information and events to mark the 100th anniversary of Reinhold Petermann’s birth can be found here.

Dale Grant – a portrait of the Berlin art scene

The photographic portraits of the artist Dale Grant, born in the Bahamas and now living in Berlin and Rotterdam, stand in contrast and at the same time in correspondence with Petermann’s corporeal sculptures. Grant works in the fields of portraiture, still life and fashion photography. With a keen sense of light, posture and atmosphere, he succeeds in capturing closeness, vulnerability and personality in his pictures.

For his new book ‘Face: The Berlin Art Scene’, which was published by Kerber Verlag in June 2025, Grant photographed over 200 artists in their studios – including established names and young positions. The images not only provide an insight into the faces and spaces of these artists, but also into the multi-layered, constantly changing Berlin scene itself. Supplemented by personal quotes from those portrayed, a visual archive of the artistic present is created.

A selection of these portraits will be presented in the exhibition as an independent series of photographic works. The official book premiere will take place on Friday, 27 June 2025 at 6 pm in the gallery.

Please find further information about the artist here.

Two artistic perspectives – one common space

This exhibition is not intended as a classic juxtaposition, but as a narrative dialogue: Petermann’s corporeal sculptures and Grant’s haunting portraits reflect different but related approaches to the depiction of the human being. What remains, what changes? How do time, biography, movement and identity inscribe themselves in sculptural or photographic form?

‘Sculpture & Portrait’ invites you to bring two artistic styles into dialogue with each other across generations – in an exhibition that consciously moves between past, present and counterpart.