News
Gift and purchase for The collection O.
Sometimes, very special stories emerge from an exhibition – and sometimes they even enrich a museum's collection permanently. This is what happened in connection with our exhibition German Pop Art.
There, we also presented works by the artist Bodo Boden . During the exhibition preparations, very little information could be found about the artist, who passed away in 2021. We were all the more delighted when, during the exhibition, a long-time friend of Bodo Boden's contacted us. Through her, we were put in touch with his son, Boris Boden.
This encounter sparked a fascinating exchange about the artist's life and work. Boris Boden provided us with a wealth of information and personal insights, and also facilitated the acquisition of several paintings and prints from the artist's estate. This significant addition to the collection is further enhanced by the generous donation of additional prints from the collection of the artist's friend.
With these new acquisitions, the O. Collection grows not only by important works by Bodo Boden, but also by valuable knowledge about this artist. A wonderful example of how exhibitions create encounters that have an impact far beyond their duration.
The catalog is available again!
Our exhibition catalog for the exhibition "Anja Niedringhaus – On the Front Lines" sold out in no time – we were delighted by the overwhelming response. It is now available again online and in the museum shop.
Spanning 128 pages , this beautifully designed publication combines impressive photographs from the exhibition with insightful essays by Dr. Christine Vogt and Kerrin Postert on Anja Niedringhaus's press and sports photography. The volume is further enhanced by a biography of the Pulitzer Prize winner, offering a multifaceted glimpse into the life and work of this exceptional photographer.
Edited by Dr. Christine Vogt and designed by Uwe Eichholz, the catalogue is a valuable companion to the exhibition and a lasting memento.
Secure your copy now – the edition is limited!
A work from the LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen at the Manifesta 16 Ruhr
Manifesta 16 Ruhr invites visitors to discover the Ruhr region from new perspectives until October 4th. This year, the European traveling biennial for contemporary art is taking place in twelve former churches and addressing issues such as migration, memory, and social change.
The LUDWIGGALERIE is also represented with a significant loan: The three-part painting The Lord's Supper , 1978, by the Iranian-German artist Akbar Behkalam (1944–2025) is on display in St. Bonifatius Church in Gelsenkirchen-Erle . There, it fits into an exhibition focus that illuminates the history of guest workers and migration in the Ruhr region, thus making an important contribution to the thematic dialogue of the Biennale.
Behkalam, who fled from Iran to West Berlin in 1976, combines Persian pictorial traditions with references to European art history in his work. In his triptych, he takes up Leonardo's famous Last Supper , but reinterprets the composition: wealthy, exaggerated figures replace the disciples, while the central figure appears isolated. In this way, the Christian motif becomes a powerful reflection on power, social inequality, and exclusion.
We are delighted to be part of Manifesta 16 Ruhr with this loan from the LUDWIGGALERIE collection and wish all visitors exciting discoveries.
Lord's Supper, 1978 © Akbar Behkalam. Photo © Manifesta 16 Ruhr / Ivan Erofeev
OBERHAUSEN CASTLE NIGHTS 2026 – Summer theatre under the open sky
From July 30th to August 9th, 2026, look forward to unforgettable summer evenings in the atmospheric setting of the courtyard of the LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen . The program includes the hit plays "Mindful Murder , " "Oedipus Rex," and "Schiller's Complete Works – Slightly Abridged ." Cabaret artist Patrik Nederkoorn will provide witty entertainment, while Nito Torres will delight audiences with a special evening of music.
Another highlight awaits you on August 15, 2026 with the White Dinner at the castle.
Tickets You can obtain them at www.ebertbad.de as well as at the box office.
Inlet: 18.30:XNUMX am | Start: 19.30 pm
www.oberhausener-schlossnächte.de
To sing is im Choir am most
The Oberhausen Choral Association invites you to the Day of Choirs in all its colorful diversity.
WhenSunday, July 12, 2026, 12–18 pm
Wo: Courtyard of the LUDWIGGALERIE Oberhausen Castle
Admission: Free!
Sixteen choirs will present the full diversity of choral singing, complemented by a sing-along event by the "German Silver Singers", in which all visitors are invited to join in the singing.
With its unique ambiance, the courtyard of the LUDWIGGALERIE provides the ideal setting for open-air events and cultural encounters. Between concerts, a visit to the museum's current exhibitions is also worthwhile, as its diverse temporary exhibitions continually offer new perspectives on art and culture.
A colorful program for the whole family – to listen to, sing along to and enjoy.
Articleoawn
Reopening of the art o thek
With the relocation of our art o thek to the Europahaus at Elsässer Straße 17 in autumn 2024, Creative City Oberhausen was expected to experience an artistic enrichment of the city center. However, the joy over the move was unfortunately short-lived: two consecutive instances of water damage initially rendered the premises unusable for storing and displaying art. Thanks to temporary accommodation in the former INTEGO premises, the lending service was able to continue. Meanwhile, the Europahaus premises underwent extensive renovations.
The renovations are now successfully completed, and art o thek can return to its intended location. We would like to celebrate this occasion with refreshing drinks and stimulating conversation in the newly renovated art o thek premises and invite you to join us:
Thursday, June 25, 2026 , at 17 p.m. , art o thek of the LUDWIGGALERIE, Europahaus, Elsässer Straße 17.
Speakers:
- Apostolos Tsalastras, Head of Cultural Affairs for the city of Oberhausen
- Dr. Christine Vogt, Director of the LUDWIGGALERIE
- Ursula Bendorf-Depenbrock, Management Articleoawn
- Sabine Falkenbach, Management Articleoawn
The artist Daniel Schätzmüller presents his work "standing in water "—a title that, given the history of these rooms, seems almost programmatic. "Standing with your feet in water can be a holiday or a catastrophe, silence or alarm," Schätzmüller explains his work.
The walk-in floor installation flows through the space like a current; floor and wall, color and surface seem to be set in motion. Whether the beautiful and the menacing can possibly produce the same image is deliberately left open. The work can be seen until July 16.
Action Day Municipalities at their limitPanel discussion on the future of culture
As part of the "Municipalities at the Limit" action day , the Theater Oberhausen invites you to a panel discussion in the Container Bar on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 19 p.m.
Under the title "Culture in the Financial Crisis" , representatives from culture and politics discuss the effects of strained municipal budgets on cultural life and the future of the cultural landscape in Oberhausen.
Panelists are:
- Apostolos Tsalastras, City Treasurer and Head of Cultural Affairs of the City of Oberhausen
- Dr. Kathrin Mädler, Artistic Director of the Theater Oberhausen
- Dr. Christine Vogt, Director of the LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen
- Andreas Gadde, representatives of the socio-cultural centers
The event offers an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss current challenges and perspectives in cultural funding.
Dr. Christine Vogt , director of the LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen, will contribute the perspective of museums to the discussion and talk about the importance of cultural institutions for the city's society.
Invitation to a panel discussion: Culture in the financial crisis
15th anniversary of the Friends of the LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen
Happy Birthday!
The Friends of the Ludwig Gallery at Oberhausen Castle celebrated their 15th anniversary on April 19th. To mark this special occasion, the pop artist presented a gift. Heiner Meyer An exclusive edition is being created for the circle of friends. The design of the edition is based on the sculpture "Red Heels," created for the LUDWIGGALERIE in 2020. At its center is a grid characteristic of Pop Art, whose grid points are designed in the style of Roy Lichtenstein's visual language, thus continuing the Pop Art tradition in a contemporary way.
As part of the current exhibition “Anja Niedringhaus At the forefront. Pulitzer Prize winner, press photographer, portraitist”: the screen prints, printer's proofs and the original paper designs for the sculpture are presented.
The edition is available in the shop for €1.250. Members of the Friends' Association pay the reduced price of €650.
Heiner Meyer, Red Heels, 2025, Edition 20/50
Technique: Screen printing on handmade paper
Design: 40 x 60 cm
Sheet size: 60 x 80 cm
Conference proceedings on Walter Moers published
Humor can be clever – and art can be funny. Walter Moers impressively demonstrated this last year in our exhibition " What's so funny? The comic art of Walter Moers ." It took us from Zamonia to Captain Bluebear and the Little Asshole.
As part of this exhibition, a scientific symposium took place in November 2024, the results of which are now available in book form: The volume Humor is a serious business – Walter Moers in the focus of art, literary and media studies , edited by Dr. Sarah Hülsewig and Dr. Christine Vogt , illuminates the many facets of an artist who effortlessly transcends the boundaries between media, forms and genres.
You can purchase the book now in the museum shop or in our webshop.
Wiesels Beautiful signs bring a smile to the faces of visitors and passers-by
A fantastic idea: Instead of everyday, often purely functional signs, "Signs of Influence for Well-being" can now be found around the LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen and the adjacent Kaisergarten. This art project by Oberhausen artist and graphic designer Klaus Wiesel, with its interplay of art, humor, and everyday observations, is sure to make visitors and strollers smile, reflect, and linger.
Udo Lindenberg – meteorically panicked
June 29 – September 28, 2025, extended until November 23, 2025, Tue – Sun from 11am to 18pm
Due to high demand: Extended until January 18, 2026!
The Oberhausen Singers’ Circle organizes the Day of CHOIRS in colorful diversity.
03 October 2025, 13 a.m. to 17.30 p.m
12 choirs will perform, and the German Silver Singers will invite everyone to join in the sing-along.
OBERHAUSEN CASTLE NIGHTS 2025
A summer theatre in the courtyard of the LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen
Tickets under www.ebertbad.de and at the box office
Entrance from 18.30 pm, start 19.30 pm, further INFO at: www.oberhausener-schlossnächte.de
special 21 x 21. The RuhrKunstMuseen on the Hill
The RuhrKunstMuseen (Ruhr Art Museums) are joining forces to present highlights from their art collections in dialogue – digitally as a web app at www.21×21.de and, starting in April 2025, in a major special exhibition at Villa Hügel. In the joint exhibition " 21 x 21. The RuhrKunstMuseen on the Hill," numerous works from the RuhrKunstMuseen can be admired at Villa Hügel from April 11 to July 27, 2025. The LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen (Ludwig Gallery Oberhausen Castle) is participating with a total of seven selected artworks.
21 x 21. THE COLLECTIONS OF THE RUHR ART MUSEUMS
The multifaceted and diverse art collections can be explored in a playful way from November 2024
be discovered: The digital project 21 x 21. The collections of the RuhrKunstMuseen conveyed via
400 works of art from the individual museums in dialogue and provides a cross-section of the collections.
Each of the 21 RuhrKunstMuseen selected a work from its collection that served as an impulse for the
other houses and formed the basis for a creative exchange. The 21 Impulswerke
The partner museums each provided a work from their own collection – thus linking
The artworks combine different eras, techniques, themes and artists to create an inspiring
Dialogue and spin a broad network of associations on 21 topics. Presented are
the works of art at www.21×21.de and on the website of the RuhrKunstMuseen in pictures, texts,
Animations and films (design and programming: blubb.media, Stuttgart). As speaker,
the renowned author and presenter Ronja von Rönne gives the project its own voice.
In the interactive museum match, based on dating platforms, users can
Find a suitable museum and from now on follow their hearts in the art world of the Ruhr area.
The LUDWIGGALERIE selected Heiner Meyer's Red Heels as its featured work.
Heiner Meyer, Red Heels
RuhrKunstus – An educational project of the RuhrKunstMuseen
Supported by the RWE Foundation
term 2024 – 2026
RuhrKuns tbewegt is an outreach project of the 21 Ruhr art museums, funded by the RWE Foundation.
With "RuhrKunst bewegt " (RuhrArt Moves), the RuhrArt Museums network is once again developing an educational program for children and young people growing up in financial poverty and whose social participation is hampered by disadvantaged living conditions. Participants will experience the museum as a new place of discovery and expand their skills through creative forms of expression. Approaches and formats of museum education and outreach are being expanded in an interdisciplinary and cross-genre way: elements from theater, dance, and music complement museum offerings to provide children and young people with a variety of engaging ways to access art and culture, as well as fostering self-efficacy and the independent acquisition of learning content and working methods.
Over three school semesters, children and young people of different age groups and school types can take part in several consecutive workshops in order to find their own approach to art.
From Oberhausen Castle to the Europahaus – the ArtOthek is moving!
After Art O thek closed its doors for the last time at the castle in August, the big move is now in full swing. With mixed feelings, the LUDWIGGALERIE bids farewell to Art O thek from its old location and looks forward to the relocation to the city center. Art O thek will open in the Europahaus on October 1, 2024. The listed building on Friedensplatz will be renovated beforehand.
The relocation of the Art O thek is part of the "Creative City" project, which focuses on expanding art and culture in Old Oberhausen. Various initiatives aim to transform the area into an attractive and sustainable hub for creative exchange. Interested visitors will soon be able to browse artworks at the Europahaus and borrow them for a small fee to enhance their homes or offices. The LUDWIGGALERIE also gains a prominent location in the city center with the move. Large shop windows will not only offer glimpses into the constantly expanding Art O thek collection available for loan, but also provide a platform for numerous new exhibition formats and workshops for a diverse urban community. Opening hours will also be extended, inviting visitors to explore the art collection, engage in discussions, and participate in the project, in addition to the art lending service. After the opening, visitors can stop by Elsässer Straße 17 on Wednesdays from 16 pm to 18 pm and Thursdays from 13 pm to 19 pm.
spring cleaning 2024
The LUDWIGGALERIE team also took part in the traditional “Oberhausen Spring Cleaning 2024” campaign this year. Around the castle and in the Kaisergarten, the castle employees made a contribution to a clean Oberhausen as part of the largest decentralized garbage collection campaign in the city.
