Willy Kissmer

Willi Kissmer was born in Duisburg, Germany, in 1951. As a teenager, Kissmer oscillated between visual arts and music. He began his studies at Folkwangscule, University of Essen, then learned printmaking techniques at Duisberg University. Regarding music, he perseveres and becomes an accomplished guitarist: he has recorded three albums so far. Although Kissmer's art has recently gained recognition in North America, the artist is highly regarded in America, Europe, the Soviet Union and even Asia ¬ where he has traveled extensively. Described as a young contemporary master, Kissmer's work is exhibited in galleries and numerous museums: from California to Leningrad. The artist combines several engraving techniques: aquatint, drypoint and mezzotint. A range of warm tones and its ability to illuminate its subject, connects Kissmer's art with a long tradition of realism in painting in Northern Europe. This almost hyperrealistic posture quickly gave Kissmer a solid reputation and great interest in his work in Europe, which quickly spread to North America. The foundation of Kissmer's art lies in his passion for still life. His compositions can include combinations of the female figure, everyday objects and residential architecture. His intense sense of observation, his limited palette and the refined simplicity of the line lead to always evolving creations that do not adhere to a conventional aesthetic, but which seek to captivate the eye. The expressive and exaggerated interpretation of detail is a trait that permeates the body (organism) of his art which has been described as sensual, provocative, technical and mysterious. The combination of pleats, texture and light have the effect of transforming an ordinary subject into something extraordinary. The result for the observer is not just a visual experience, but also a unique personal journey.