Joseph Beuys

Joseph Beuys
1921-1986

Humanism, Social philosophy and anthroposophy are the concepts Joseph Beuys used to create his artwork. He was a German performance artist, sculptor, installation artist, graphic artist and art theorist.

During the 1940s Beuys was active in the military during WWII. He was wounded several times and was even held as a prisoner of war under british power. After the war, he decided to focus and dedicate his time to artwork. Many of his pieces reflect his military experience. 

During the 1960s, He was also the professor of 'monumental sculpture' at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf- where he studied art after the war in the 1950s. 

In 1967, Beuys founded the political german student party and founded the Free International University for Creativity and Interdisciplinary Research.

Beuys was also known for his performance art pieces. He would use sound,time, and objects as materials in his moving sculptures.