Kurt & Heidi Becker
Whimsical, mischievous, miniature sculptures inspired by poetry and humour.….
Originally from Germany. the Bekers immigrated to Australia in 1974 and now live here on the Sunshine Coast in S.E. Queensland. Their work is represented in major galleries across Australia.
Poetry is the source of inspiration for many of the sculptures produced by Kurt and Heidi. Kurt loves working with the human body in a detailed, humourous, tongue-in-cheek sort of way. Heidi enjoys shapes, structures and vessels focusing on balanced form and textural quality. Together they create unique works of art, which reflect our human and sometimes inhuman struggle, with humour and a touch of irreverence.
The sculptures are made from stoneware clay fired to 1280o, Then glazed with a copper rust glaze and deco under glaze colours. Other media sometimes used are metal stands, glass bowls, ceramic paints and liquid gold leaf. The vessels, plinths and bowls are wheel thrown by Heidi, and every figure is modeled by hand by Kurt. Ideas and designs are sometimes repeated but always with a new slant, posture or expression so no two sculptures are identical.
Kurt Becker—Biography
1941 Born Kassel, Germany
1959-63 School of Applied Arts, Werk Kunstschule Kassel
1963-68 Academy of Fine Arts, Kunst Akademie Kassel
1968 Graphic Designer & Art Director, Kreuser Studios Metzkausen
1970 Opened own graphic design studio, Dusseldorf
1974 Moved to Australia, became Art Director at Weston Advertising
Kurt & Heidi Exhibitions:
1994 (group) Art of the Ordinary, Newport, Sydney
1995 (group) Fragments of our Imagination, Newport, Sydney
1996 (solo) Noosa Regional Gallery, QLD
1997 (solo) Myth and Mischief, Crafters Gallery, Tamborine Mountain, QLD
1998 (solo) Lovers and Loners, Fusions Gallery, Brisbane
1999 (solo) Naked Facts, Dome Gallery, Montville
1990 (solo) Tongue and Cheek, Gallerie de l'art Erotique, Brisbane
2000 (solo) Boyd Fine Art Gallery, Camden, Sydney
2001 (group) Christmas Exhibition, Greenhill Galleries Adelaide