(openPR) - The parkways of Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg and Schlosshotel Lerbach in Bergisch-Gladbach near Cologne currently host an exhibition featuring a number of the so-called ‘shadow sculptures’ by the German artist Stefan Szczesny. The exhibition is part of a series of installations of these sculptures under the general title ‘Shadows in…’. Previous venues were St. Moritz, Sylt and Saint-Tropez.

Born in Munich in 1951, Stefan Szczesny is among the protagonists of the ‘Junge Wilde’ movement which emerged in the late 70s in reaction to minimal and other non-figurative art. The goal of this movement was to break free from the ‘less is more’ dictates of the time and to breathe fresh life into the subject-matters of figurative art. In his unmistakable style – light, spirited and always positive – Szczesny falls back upon the traditions of classical modernity. He feels connected in particular to Picasso and Matisse.

The shadow sculptures currently on view provide a good insight into Szczesny’s art. They intimate a world of the senses, depicting voluptuous female figures, lush vegetation and opulent maritime life. Szczesny now lives on the Côte d’ Azur. His ‘shadow sculptures’ reveal as much: they tell stories of the South, of the magical light of the Mediterranean, of hot days and spicy fragrances. ‘The main duty of art is to convey a positive, humane vision of life’, Szczesny says. The shadow sculptures would seem to constitute an apt illustration of this view.

Stefan Szczesny, born in Munich in 1951, is among the protagonists of the 'Junge Wilde' movement. He lives in Saint-Tropez.

Atelier Szczesny
Espace des Lices
7, Bd. Louis Blanc
83990 Saint-Tropez
info@szczesny-online.com