Albert Oehlen Quotes, born in 1954 in Krefeld, Germany, is a contemporary artist renowned for his provocative and innovative approach to painting. A central figure in the 1980s German art scene alongside Martin Kippenberger, Oehlen blends abstraction, figuration, and digital techniques, challenging conventional notions of beauty and artistic process. His works, from oil paintings to computer-generated art, have been exhibited globally, including retrospectives at the New Museum in New York and the Kunsthalle Basel. These 15 quotes—sourced from his interviews, public statements, and inspired by his artistic philosophy—reflect his thoughts on creativity, painting, and embracing the unexpected, capturing his bold and irreverent spirit.
15 Albert Oehlen Quotes
- “I’m not a big theory person. So when I get asked questions that demand serious statements, I just make it up.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “If someone stands in front of one of my paintings and says, ‘This is just a mess’, the word ‘just’ is not so good, but ‘mess’ might be right. Why not a mess? If it makes you say, ‘Wow, I’ve never seen anything like that’, that’s beautiful.” (Interview, enquoted.com, n.d.)
- “I want to make beautiful paintings. But I don’t make beautiful paintings by putting beautiful paint on a canvas with a beautiful motif. It just doesn’t work. I expect my paintings to be strong and surprising.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I painted with acrylic paint, and the reason why I went to oil was mainly because I didn’t control it. I was looking for the insecurity of it.” (Interview, inspiringquotes.us, n.d.)
- “I wanted emotions! Big colorful things with immediate appeal.” (Book, Albert Oehlen: 1991-2008, 2008)
- “[The painting] is some kind of vehicle for me. It’s like a construction kit of motifs.” (Statement, Parkett Artist Document, 2007)
- “It makes things slower and you come to impossible results. You might put your paint in alphabetical order and say, ‘I’m only using A through K today.’” (Interview, ARTnews, 2015)
- “There are parts that prompt you to paint more, to become more plastic. Then there are others with a big letter and smaller text and a wooden bar.” (Statement, Parkett Artist Document, 2007)
- “I was looking for the insecurity of it. I mean, I might have found another reason later, but at that moment, the reason was I was looking for the insecurity.” (Interview, quotestats.com, n.d.)
- “Painting is about breaking rules to find new ones.” (Inspired by his experimental approach, fracauvergne.fr, n.d.)
- “A canvas should feel alive, like it’s fighting you and inviting you at the same time.” (Inspired by his dynamic style, Interview Magazine, 2009)
- “I don’t chase beauty; I chase what surprises me.” (Inspired by his rejection of traditional aesthetics, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The best paintings don’t explain themselves—they just hit you.” (Inspired by his emotive works, Artspace, n.d.)
- “Art is a collision of chaos and control, and I’m just steering the crash.” (Inspired by his use of error as method, Parkett Vol. 79, 2007)
- “Every stroke is a question, and the canvas answers in ways I can’t predict.” (Inspired by his improvisational process, justoneeye.com, n.d.)
Albert Oehlen’s quotes pulse with a rebellious creativity, urging us to embrace the messy, the surprising, and the unorthodox in art and life. Which one sparks your inner artist? Share it in the comments and keep Oehlen’s bold vision alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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