Günther Uecker German, 1930-Lives and works in Düsseldorf, Germany

Uecker studied painting in Wismar and at the Academy in Berlin-Weissensee from 1949-53, then at Düsseldorf Academy from 1953-7.

Uecker met Heinz Mack and Otto Piene in 1960 forming group Zero. From then on he occupied himself with the medium of light, studied optical phenomena, series of structures and the realms of oscillation that actively integrate the viewer and enable him to influence the visual process by kinetic or manual interference. 

Since 1966, after the group zero dissolved and a last joint exhibition, Uecker has increasingly used nails as an artistic means of expression - a material that, until today, stands in the centre of his oeuvre. Light and electricity continued to be one of the main subjects and natural materials such as sand and water were included in his installations, resulting in an interaction of the different elements to create a sensation of light, space, movement and time.