Bruno Kurz was born in 1957 in Langenargen, Lake Constance. He currently lives and works in Karlsruhe, Germany. Kurz spent many years studying art abroad in Egypt, Mexico Asia and India. In 1984 he began his teaching career with Foundation of ARTwork, courses for adults. Since 1987 he has given various lectures including at the College of Education (Ka), Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, the National Academy Schloss Rotenfels, and the European Art Academy in Trier.

His most recent series “Lago Maggiore” was inspired by the wondrous landscape of Lake Maggiore. A remote stone cottage only accessible by footpath became his en plein air studio. From this distant vantage, the artist has captured a most unique and arresting impression of the area’s endless natural beauty.

The Lava series was produced after a ten day trip to Iceland during the summer of 2013. While in Iceland, Kurz was heavily drawn to the pristine nature and awe-inspiring landscapes. The Argyll (2012) and Hebrides Cycles (2001 and 2012) were inspired by journeys Kurz made in the winter of 1999 and then 2012 to the Hebrides, a cluster of islands off the coast of Scotland. In winter months Atlantic storms pound the western coast of Scotland and the days are short. Light changes quickly, clouds dart overhead, winds howl, tempestuous seas surround these sparsely populated isles. The series is characterized by expressive paintwork in which cracked surfaces, layers of colour and traces of pastose serve as contrast to a metallic background. Horizontal layers provide the colours a clear compositional order. The recent works from the Hebrides Cycle again exude their typical sense of contemplative calm. At the same time, their colour space appears to pulsate in fields of light. (Several paintings in this series are named after Lucifer, a deity in Roman myth who personified the Morning Star and whose name means ‘Light-Bringer’.) Reflective surfaces – consisting of resin, India ink glazes or transparent silk gauzes layered over a vertically delineated metal background – afford the works a striking luminosity and shimmering colour spectrum.

Depending on the incidence of light and position of the viewer, the paintings may be perceived in a variety of ways. The multiple viewpoints offered by the works are the hallmark of their vitality.

Bruno Kurz & Rafael, artist studio, Karlsruhe, Germany

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