Bernd Lohaus (1940, Düsseldorf - 2010, Antwerp) has been working for many years on the basis of a combination of sober, massive, sculptural forms and enigmatic, powerful linguistic fragments. He has been building up a highly coherent work for decades. He trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Düsseldorf between 1960 and 1967, where he was taught by one of the leading figures in European art today, Joseph Beuys. Over the years, Lohaus has built up a strong international reputation.

The physical and mental work implied by the setting and the configuration of the heavy pieces of wood are and essential part of the artist’s process. The relationship between the artist and the material creates a physical strength. The human and literal « manipulation » of the sculpture’s elements is no longer possible. In fact the setting becomes a social fact leading to reflection, hesitation and dexterity. The fitting of extremely heavy beams above or next other beams is done in order to create an open and accessible sculpture in which one can enter. The artist’s artistic, philosophical and intuitive intentions reach the limits of the place of the exhibition. The sculpture then becomes a place in itself.