Draft:Michael Krebber

‘’’Michael Krebber’’’ (born April 26, 1954 in Cologne, lives and works in New York City and Cologne) studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe in the 1970s (with Markus Lüpertz and Georg Baselitz), and he was a studio assistant to Georg Baselitz from 1979-80, and a studio assistant to Martin Kippenberger from 1986–87. Krebber was a Professor of painting at the Städelschule in Frankfurt am Main from 2002–16.

Michael Krebber has been married to Cosima von Bonin since 1992.

Michael Krebber is represented by the Galerie Buchholz, Cologne, Berlin and New York galleries; Chantal Crousel, Paris; branch, Brussels; Greene Naftali Gallery, New York; Maureen Paley, London.

Work
Krebber is associated with the "Cologne School" of painting, a group of artists linked to the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. His work is often characterized by a conceptual approach to painting, challenging traditional notions of the medium. Krebber's practice involves experimentation with materials, techniques, and concepts, reflecting a postmodern sensibility.

Michael Krebber's early artistic career was influenced by the avant-garde art scene in Germany, particularly in Cologne, where he came into contact with influential figures such as Georg Baselitz and Martin Kippenberger.

During the 1970s, many artists sought to break away from the established norms of painting, which had been a dominant artistic medium for centuries. This was a period when some artists and art critics questioned and challenged the traditional conventions and assumptions surrounding the practice of painting. The "death of painting" or the "impossibility of painting" was a concept that reflected a sense of skepticism and rebellion against the traditional methods, materials, and ideologies associated with painting. This idea emerged in the context of broader shifts in the art world during the 20th century, marked by movements such as Conceptual Art, Minimalism, and Postmodernism. These artists began to experiment with unconventional materials, explored new forms of artistic expression, or abandoned the canvas altogether. This period led to the blurring of boundaries between different art forms and the redefinition of what could be considered art. It's important to note that while the skepticism questioned the traditional parameters of painting, it did not mean the end of painting altogether. Rather, it opened up new possibilities and expanded the definition of what could be considered a valid artistic practice.

Michael Krebber's career as a contemporary painter is marked by his skepticism and exploration of new possibilities of painting. Krebber's work challenged the traditional understanding of painting as a means of representation and expression and questions whether painting can truly communicate or whether it inevitably falls short of conveying meaning or intent. Krebber's explorations employ deliberately incomplete techniques. His approach challenged the conventions of a well-executed, representational painting, thereby emphasizing the medium's inherent limitations. Krebber explored the limits of creating minimalist painting by deeming works finished as early as possible.

Michael Krebber's work has influenced contemporary painting, particularly within the context of postmodernism and conceptual art.

Krebber’s works are often characterized by a sense of austerity, minimalism, and a deconstruction of traditional painting techniques. His works are often casual and consist of seemingly simple forms, shapes, and color fields, which can leave viewers questioning the absence of traditional subject matter. In doing so, Krebber forces his audience to confront the limitations of the medium, provoking thoughts about the essence of painting and its supposed incapacity to capture the complexity of life and experience. Krebber said in 1994: “I do not believe that I can invent something new in art or painting because whatever I would want to invent already exists. As a solution, I have chosen therefore not to cease researching. I do not see a great difference between the terms ‘composing’ and “interpreting’”.

Krebber, wrote in 2010 that “it doesn’t matter what I do, whether it is good or bad, or that it conforms however to whatever criteria—the fact that I call myself an artist is enough”.

While some critics and scholars have praised Krebber for his innovative and challenging contributions to contemporary painting, others have argued that his impact is niche and may not be as widely recognized compared to some other artists.

Solo Exhibitions

 * Esprit de Corps, Galerie Buchholz, Cologne, Germany (2023)
 * Fondazione Antonio Dalle Nogare, Bolzano (2021)
 * Museum Brandhorst, Munich (2019)
 * Kunsthalle Bern (2017)
 * Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, Porto (2016)
 * Museum Ludwig, Cologne (2015)
 * CAPC Musée d’art Contemporain, Bordeaux (2012)
 * Kölnischer Kunstverein, Cologne (2008)
 * Secession, Vienna
 * Braunschweig Art Association / Wolfsburg Municipal Gallery (2000)
 * Villa Arson, Nice (1997)

Selected Group exhibitions

 * Spot On: Books from the Brandhorst Collection, Museum Brandhorst, Munich, Germany, 2020
 * Cómics: una nueva lectura, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid, Spain, 2018
 * Optik Schröder II, MUMOK – Museum Moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien, Vienna, Austria, 2018
 * Jump Into The Future – The Borgmann Donation, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2018
 * Painting 2.0: Expression in the Information Age, Museum Brandhorst, Munich, Germany, 2015
 * On Radical Juxtaposition, Halle fuer kunst Lueneburg, Luenburg, Germany, 2014
 * Abandon the Parents, Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2014
 * Über Das Radikale Nebeneinander, Halle für Kunst, Germany, 2014
 * Festival der Kleinskulptur, Halle für Kunst e.V., Lüneburg, Germany, 2013
 * Chat Jet, Painting ‹Beyond› The Medium, Künstlerhaus, der Halle für Kunst und Medien, Graz, Austria, 2013
 * Hamlet, Mise-En-Scène, Jack Smith in Frankfurt, Portikus, Frankfurt/Main, Germany, 2012
 * Dystopia, CAPC, musée d’art contemporain, Bordeaux, France, 2011
 * Provisional Painting, Modern Art, London, UK, 2011
 * Gambaroff, Krebber, Quaytman, Rayne, Bergen Kunsthall, Bergen, Germany, 2010
 * The invisible colour, Bonnefantenmuseum, Maastricht, Netherlands, 2010
 * Sur le Dandysme Aujourd´Hui, CGAC – Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 2010
 * Degree Zero, Richard Telles Fine Art, Los Angeles, USA, 2007
 * Fit to Print, Gagosian Gallery, New York, USA, 2007
 * Shandismus, Kunsthaus Dresden, Dresden, Germany, 2007
 * ICA, Institute of Contemporary Art – University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA, 2007
 * The Most Contemporary Picture Show, Actually, Kunsthalle Nuernberg, Germany, 2006
 * Travelin‘ Light, Bonnefantenmuseum, Maastricht, Netherlands, 2006
 * Grey Flags, Sculpture Center, New York, USA, curated by Anthony Huberman and Paul Pfeiffer, 2006
 * Drapeaux gris, CAPC, Musée d’art contemporain, Bordeaux, France, 2006
 * Group Show, Richard Telles Fine Art, Los Angeles, USA, 2006
 * Optik Schröder, Werke aus der Sammlung Alexander Schröder, Kunstverein Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany, 2006
 * Formalismus, Kunstverein Hamburg, Germany, 2004
 * Rhinegold: Art from Cologne, Tate Liverpool, Liverpool, UK, 2004
 * Superca…, Stedelijk Museum, Bureau Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1999
 * Malerei, INIT-Kunsthalle, Berlin, Germany, 1999
 * Museum in Progress, Fond Régional D´Art Contemporain Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France, 1996
 * Sammlung Volkmann zeigt: Faustrecht der Freiheit, Neues Museum Weserburg, Bremen, Germany, 1996
 * Diese Ausstellung hat keinen Titel, P.S.1 Museum, New York, USA; Goethe House, New York, USA, 1993
 * The Köln Show, Cologne, Germany (“Nachschub”), 1990
 * Eurobummel – Curated by Martin Kippenberger, Galerie Gisela Capitain, Cologne, Germany, 1989

Public Collections

 * Aïshti Foundation, Lebanon
 * Bern Art Museum, Bern
 * Bonnefantenmuseum, Maastricht
 * Brandhorst Museum, Munich
 * Center Pompidou, Paris
 * Hammer Museum, Los Angeles
 * Hamburger Bahnhof, Hamburg, Germany
 * Mamco Musée d’art moderne et contemporain, Geneva
 * Museum of Contemporary Art, Berlin, Germany
 * Museum of Modern Art, New York, USA
 * CAPC Musée d’art Contemporain, Bordeaux, France
 * Museum Brandhorst, Munich, Germany
 * Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
 * Museum Ludwig, Cologne
 * Museum of Modern Art, New York
 * Museum of Modern Art, Frankfurt am Main
 * Wolfsburg Municipal Gallery, Wolfsburg
 * Sammlung Deutsche Bank, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
 * Sammlung Grässlin, St. Georgen, Germany
 * Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam
 * St Louis Art Museum, St Louis
 * Walker Art Center, Minneapolis

Publications

 * Michael Krebber, Catalogue Raisonné, Volume 1, Ed. Sanchez, Michael, Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther und Franz König, Köln, Germany, 2022
 * Michael Krebber, The Living Wedge, Part I & II, Serralves, Porto, Portugal; Kunsthalle Bern, Bern, Switzerland, 2017
 * KREBBER, Galerie Nagel Draxler, Düsseldorf, 2014
 * Michael Krebber, Les escargots ridiculisés, The ridiculized snails,CAPC musée d’art contemporain de Bordeaux, 2012
 * Respekt Frischlinge Je Suis La Chaise London Condom, Galerie Daniel Buchholz, Galerie Chantal Crousel and Maureen Paley, 2008
 * Michael Krebber: Puberty in Teaching, Buchhandlung Walther Konig GmbH & Co, 2008
 * Ical Krbbr Prodly Prsnts Gart Jas, Jon Klsy, Josf Stra, Portikus, Frankfurt / Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther König, Köln, 2007
 * Außerirdische Zwitterwesen / Alien Hybrid Creatures, Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther König, Köln, 2005
 * Michael Krebber, Secession / Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther König, Köln, 2005
 * Michael Krebber, Kunstverein Braunschweig / Städtische Galerie Wolfsburg, 2000
 * PANAMA, Galerie Bleich–Rossie, Graz, 1987

Awards
Krebber was awarded the Wolfgang Hahn Prize by the Museum Ludwig, Cologne, in 2015