Bernd Schwarzer, who is based in Düsseldorf, has been focused in his work on the subjects of Europe, the German Reunion and Human Rights for 40 years. Early on he recognised the developments that would result both in the European and German (Re-) Union. His work mirrors the history of Germany, the German-European present, the European Spirit and cosmopolitism.
Bernd Schwarzer´s pieces originate in abstract expressionism and -apart from their historical relevance- exude a particular kind of sensuality. Through his paintings, drawings and other objects, the artist challenges his audience to form their own chains of associations. All the while there is a beguiling quality about the relief-like surface structure of his paintings in both oil and acryllic, the interplay of light and shadow, the powerful luminosity of the colours he applies.
Bernd Schwarzer is a constant source of surprises as the enormous virtuosity of his work´s compositions are compelling: A downright eruptive style of painting and provocative contrasts are accompanied by delicate veils in his water colours, picture collages in which he ironically incorporates objects of daily use and political news reports as well as time and time again either straight-forward or elegantly veiled art-historical quotes.
Bernd Schwarzer was born in Weimar in 1954. At the age of 5, he and his family moved to Düsseldorf, which is where the artist lives and creates to this day. Early on the boy´s exceptional talent made itself known which is what compelled his father to support his ambitions in any way possible. Early works crafted at the age of 12 already constitute remarkable references to Van Gogh´s nature and landscape portraits.
From 1976 until 1983, Bernd Schwarzer studied Painting under Werner Schriefers at the University of Applied Science of Cologne, in 1978 he commenced his studies of Painting under Gerhard Hoehme at the Academy of Arts in Düsseldorf where he also became a guest student to Joseph Beuys.
Since 1984, Bernd Schwarzer has been working as a freelance artist in Düsseldorf, Cologne and Weimar, among other things heeding the call to practice as lecturer and visiting professor at the University of Applied Science of Cologne, Department of Art & Design, as well as at the Academy of Arts in Minsk, Republic of Belarus ( Master Class).
