RESUME

 

Biography

Franz Hümpfner is a well-known photographer. For over 50 years now, he has been searching for artistic forms of expression in painting and photography. It is important to him to use art to penetrate spaces of consciousness beyond the possibilities of linguistic expression. Thus, it has always been his concern to convey the reality hidden behind the visible world through his photographs. For him, a camera is a tool of his artistic work, similar to the way a painter creates his works with brush and paint.


He uses both analogue and digital techniques. "A photograph requires the feel of paper," he says, adding that "the ephemeral representation on the screen cannot convey the sensual quality of a photograph print." He also creates Zen or Wabisabi photographs, which are particularly good at expressing themes such as the beauty, transience and imperfection of all that exists through their simplicity. In his book "Photoartfolio 1 - Wabi Sabi Photography" he also treated theoretically this type of photography.


According to Franz Hümpfner, an open edition print has the same artistic quality as a limited edition photograph. "But unfortunately the buyer´s demand in the art business of our time forces the artists to offer limited prints. So nowadays a work of art is very often bought with a view to increasing its value. Art in its essence is declared at a share and thus abused." So the artist is pleased when a buyer purchases a work of art because it appeals to them and they honour the artistic work with a fair payment. Franz Hümpfner offers his works executed in the best materials.


Influences

Irving Penn, Michael Kenna, Gerhard Richter, Yamamoto Masao, Paul Cupido


Education

1965-2022 Since 1965 autodidactic training and further education in painting and artistic photography Germany
1972-1978 Teacher training and studies in art education at the University of Applied Sciences in Bamberg Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany

Solo Expositions


1992 1992 Solo exhibition at the Kunststation Kleinsassen: "The documenta 9 - photographed by Franz Hümpfner" and "Transient". Kleinsassen, Hessen, Germany

1992 Dokumenta Archiv: "Die documenta 9 - fotografiert von Franz Hümpfner". Kassel, Hessen, Germany

Collective Expositions


1995 1995 Group exhibition at the Kleinsassen Art Station 1996 Group exhibition at the Kleinsassen Art Station 1998 Group exhibition at the Kleinsassen Art Station Kleinsassen, Hessen, Germany

Permanent Collections


1992 Dokumenta Archiv Kassel, Hessen, Germany

Residencies


1998 1995-1998 Art Station Kleinsassen: Head of the workshops "Artistic Photography Kleinsassen Fulda, Hessen, Germany