Commissioned work, ginkgo leaf made of maple wood, format 55 x 42 cm. The artist is one of the best contemporary sculptors in Germany, trained at the school for Wood sculptor in Oberammergau, studied at the Munich Art Academy (master student with Prof. Hans Ladner), with scholarships abroad in Paris and Florence, awarded with renowned prizes (including the Water Lily Prize winner). Among various teaching assignments, the Sculpture Project in Tanzania is particularly notable (Goethe Institute). An example of his sculptures, some of which are enormous, is the monument to a stalk (title “The Limits of Growth”, length 30 meters). Anyone who wants to form their own opinion can find out more on his website. Then it becomes understandable that a turtle object was not his topic. He could have made it easy for himself, but that doesn't meet his standards in any way. So nothing happened for a long time. Later, in his studio, he pinned several ginkgo leaves that I had pressed (originally as inspiration for a competition in public spaces), which were already decomposing slightly. From there he developed the idea for this finely crafted work in which the turtles appear in the form of three small "holes" in the sheet. Of this I am still impressed with the solution to this day. Regardless, we have been friends for a very long time and have experienced various adventures together, including in Bonn and Berlin (joint proposal for the Holocaust Memorial) or in Beijing (in ice and snow on the Great Wall). In addition, as a completely self-taught artist, I took part in several of his workshops at the Neuburg Summer Academy and in his large studio in Freihalden and met many artist friends. I am also happy about its square cross relief (covered with gold leaf, gold represents the divine in all world religions). An impressive and extensive appreciation of his work can be found in the exhibition catalog (with dedication) “Wintringer Kapelle cultural site” by Peter Michael Lupp. [hint: this is an automatic translation from German]   |   Category: Sculptures   |   Material: Holz   |   Country of origin: Bavaria, Germany   |   Artist: Hermann Bigelmayr (1958 - 2024) | Similar pieces