Great mourning for Karlheinz Wenzel: Neubrandenburg artist dies

Great mourning for Karlheinz Wenzel: Neubrandenburg artist dies

The art world mourns Karlheinz Wenzel, who died on October 26, 2023 at the age of 93. The circle of friends and the team at the Neubrandenburg Art Collection express their deep condolences to the family. Wenzel leaves behind a significant artistic legacy and many memories of his impressive works. His career as an artist began in 1947 with an apprenticeship as a commercial advertiser in Wittenberg, followed by studying art at the University of Fine and Applied Arts in Berlin-Weißensee, where he was taught by renowned teachers such as Horst Strempel, Arno Mohr and Bert Heller.

After his studies, Wenzel initially worked as a freelance artist in Wittenberg, where he received numerous commissions for architectural art, murals and ceramics. He was also active as the leader of a painting and drawing circle at VEB Nitrogenwerke Piesteritz. In 1970 he moved to Neubrandenburg, where he looked after another malting circle in 1993. His works have been honored in numerous solo exhibitions and are still represented today in the Neubrandenburg art collection, which houses many of his paintings and graphics.

A customer of art and community

Wenzel was particularly known for the impressive wall relief “Musical Education of Children”, also known as “Tree of Joy of Life”, at the regional school “Am Lindetal”, as well as the mural “The Four Times of Day” at the Neubrandenburg Clinic. On his 80th birthday, a major retrospective was dedicated to him in the Neubrandenburg Art Collection, which celebrated his diversity and influence on the regional art scene.

The art scene in which Wenzel worked was strongly influenced by the political conditions of the GDR. From 1945 onwards, art policy was determined by KPD officials under Walter Ulbricht in order to use art as a means of indoctrination. This centralistic art policy meant that many artists like Wenzel had to operate in an area of ​​tension between creative expression and ideological guidelines. The association of artists was shaped by organizations such as the Association of Visual Artists of the GDR and the Cultural Association for the Democratic Renewal of Germany, which intervened both positively and negatively in artistic creation.

A lasting legacy

Through his membership in the Association of Visual Artists of the GDR until 1990 and later in the Artists' Association of Mecklenburg and Vorpommern e.V., Wenzel was able to remain active in the art scene. His works are not only a reflection of his personal creativity, but also a reflection of the artistic trends and challenges of his time. Whether through impressive murals or his painting circles, Wenzel always had a good knack for making art a part of social life and providing inspiration for many.

At a time when art in the GDR was often under pressure, Karlheinz Wenzel was an important actor whose influence and work are still highly valued today. His death is a loss for former colleagues, friends and the entire art community, which owes him much. The Neubrandenburg Art Collection will honor his memory and continue to present his works to keep the memory of this great artist alive.