CHRISTIAN HETZEL
Christian Hetzel is a contemporary German abstract painter known for his emphasis on texture, abstract color(-field) compositions, and minimalistic approach to art. A self-taught artist, Hetzel was born in 1965 and resides near Stuttgart, Germany. He has participated in over 15 exhibitions both within Germany and internationally.
Hetzel's educational background is in medical informatics, from which he graduated in 1997 at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Despite this seemingly unrelated field, Hetzel has successfully carved a niche for himself in the art world, focusing his artistic explorations on the interplay of color, texture, and composition. He works primarily with traditional media and techniques, employing canvas, paper, timber board, and using acrylic and mixed media. Hetzel's work also involves intermedial artworks where analog paintings are digitally modified to create new pieces.
Inspiration for Hetzel's work comes from the discreet colours, surface structures, and textures found in the environment and nature, leading him to create abstract compositions and textured paintings that reflect a philosophy of 'less is more.' In a world saturated with visual stimuli, Hetzel aims to draw the viewer into a contemplative journey across the painting's surface, encouraging an appreciation for subtlety in color, structure, and texture. His artistic influences include the harmonic colour field paintings of Rothko, Gerhard Richter's works from the 80s to 90s, the reduced paintings of Ryman and Rauschenberg's white paintings, among others.
Hetzel's art is held in private collections across a broad spectrum of countries, showcasing his international appeal and recognition.
