Karl Wirsum

Place: Chicago

Born: 1939

Death: 2021

Biography:

was an American artist born in Chicago in 1939. He died in May 2021 at the age of 81. Karl Wirsum was a member of the Chicago artistic group The Hairy Who, and helped set the foundation for Chicago's art scene in the 1970s. He was primarily a painter, but also worked with prints, sculpture, and even digital art.

Early Life and Education

Karl Wirsum studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and was the first of the Hairy Who artists to graduate. He was a professor of painting and drawing at SAIC until his death. Karl Wirsum was known for his avid, sometimes robotic figures in both two and three dimensions, which exemplified the group of disruptive artists known in the late 1960s as the Hairy Who.

Artistic Style and Notable Works

Karl Wirsum's artistic style was characterized by intense subjectivity and rough handling of materials. He gained fame locally and nationally during the 1960s for his witty, entirely original and meticulous exploration of the human form. Some of his notable works include Untitled (Man with chair on checkerboard floor), which is now housed at the USC Fisher Museum of Art in Los Angeles.

Influences and Legacy

Karl Wirsum's work was influenced by various art movements, including Neo-Expressionism. He was also influenced by artists such as Cy Twombly, who is known for his innovative and groundbreaking work in video art. Karl Wirsum's legacy continues to be celebrated at the Staedtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus in Munich, Germany, which houses an impressive collection of artworks that span various periods and styles.

• Neo-Expressionism: A style of late modernist or early-postmodern painting and sculpture that emerged in the late 1970s.
• Karl Wirsum's work: Characterized by intense subjectivity and rough handling of materials, returning to portraying recognizable objects such as the human body in a rough and violently emotional way.
• Staedtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus: A renowned art museum located in Munich, Germany, which houses an impressive collection of artworks that span various periods and styles.

Conclusion

Karl Wirsum's contributions to the art world are undeniable. His innovative style and techniques continue to inspire artists today. As a member of the Hairy Who group, Karl Wirsum played a significant role in shaping the Chicago art scene in the 1970s. His legacy continues to be celebrated at various museums and galleries, including the Staedtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus and the USC Fisher Museum of Art.