Hans Arp

1887 - 1867

Painter, sculptor and poet of German – French origin, an important figure of dadaism, surrealism and abstract art. He studied in Strasbourg, Weimar, and Paris, established contact with Kandinsky and in 1912 participated in the exhibition of the group Der blaue Reiter. While in Switzerland during the First World War he got involved in the Dada movement which proved a crucial influence on his further development. It was there that he created his first abstract sculptures and started doing collages which gradually replaced traditional oil painting in his work. After the war he became involved with the surrealists taking part in their exhibitions. From the 1930’s he immersed himself in sculpture and collages and as a member of the Abstraction – Création group abandoned figurative art. After the Second World War he achieved world-renown and worked on public commissions, including a relief for the UNESCO building in Paris.