Stöhrer, a former student of H.A.P. Griesbacher in Stuttgart, relocated to Berlin in 1959, where he cultivated his own unique style, which he christened as ‘intra-psychic realism’. This technique involves the use of bold, dynamic brushstrokes to overlay written characters and calligraphic symbols with vibrant hues.
In his piece for the Reichstag Building, Stöhrer began by taking an impression from a plate specifically created for dry point engraving. He then embellished this blue-grey background with intricate black markings, tiny figures, and curvaceous lines. Next, he enlivened parts of this initial sketch with fervent strokes of red, orange, and other vibrant colors.
However, despite the intense emotional outpouring in his artwork, Stöhrer’s expressive gestures do not overshadow the underlying drawing, which seems to defy their boldness by hinting at a mysterious void beyond. Although he remained loyal to certain aspects of Art Informel until the end of his days, the powerful emotions embodied in the bursts of color in his work allowed him to escape the pitfall of monotonous, repetitive decoration.
Stöhrer’s paintings often feature surreal elements, reminiscent of Art Brut, children’s drawings, and the artwork of the mentally ill. Beneath the boldly executed brushstrokes, these elements serve as symbols of a profound inner turmoil lurking beneath the extroverted brilliance of the vibrant colors.
In this sense, Stöhrer’s works can be seen as acts of mental self-assertion, a testament to his lifelong struggle against the demons that arise from the depths of irrationality.
www.ftn-books.com has two Stohrer publications now available.
