Sculptor, painter and stage designer. Günther Uecker was born in Wendorf. He studied painting at the College of Applied Arts in Wismar, at the Art Academy in Berlin-Weißensee and at the Art Academy in Düsseldorf.
Uecker became best known for his relief nail paintings, which first appeared in 1957. One of his most famous works is White Field (1964) from the series Fields in Movement, made from painted nails and painted canvas. The nails are positioned so that the surface of the work appears to move. Due to the three-dimensional aspect, light and shadow vary depending on the viewer’s point of view.
In 1961, Uecker became a member of the artist group ZERO, founded by Heinz Mack and Otto Piene. Inspired by the kinetic art movement, the artists are interested in the use of light, technology and optical illusions. Uecker also makes sculptural works from pianos and chairs studded with nails and designs sets and costumes for opera performances. His works are part of public collections at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.
Günther Uecker lives and works in Düsseldorf and in St. Gallen, Switzerland.