Josef Mössmer "Bündelungen der Kraft"

In celebration of the 77th birthday of sculptor and painter Josef Mössmer, SHI FANG Fine Art is hosting a solo exhibition titled "Concentrations of Power" from March 29 to April 26, 2014, dedicated to the Darmstadt artist.

The exhibition showcases sculptures and paintings from various periods of Mössmer's work. The creations of the native Westphalian are characterized by his pursuit of absolute form. Josef Mössmer develops an exciting modern visual language based on Gothic architectural principles. At first glance, his organic forms resemble those of great 20th-century artists, yet his path to this point is fundamentally his own.

Mössmer has a deep connection to the city of Düsseldorf, not only because some of his sculptures can be seen in public spaces. The years he spent working in Düsseldorf were formative for him. He frequented the artists' studio house and made many friends there. Among them was Hajo Bleckert, the founder of grid painting, with whom he shares the belief that art is based on science. His colleagues were already familiar with his unique approach to art; the sculptor Norbert Kricke summarized it with a slightly reproachful remark: "You and your Cologne Cathedral Gothic."

After extended stays in France and Spain, the artist now lives and works in Darmstadt. Stone remains Josef Mössmer's preferred material, but the sculptures exhibited at SHI FANG Fine Art demonstrate that he is equally adept at working with other materials such as wood or steel, and his paintings possess their own distinct significance.