KURO's artistic legacy in the LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen

18 October 2019

Shortly before his death on October 18, 2017, the city of Oberhausen acquired the artistic estate of the cultural legend Walter Kurowski. For several months now, his works have been being examined in the LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen by the art historian Kerrin Postert.

Kerrin Postert, curator of Walter Kurowski, 2019 © LUDWIGGALERIE

Plan cabinets full of KURO's works, 2019 © LUDWIGGALERIE

In a first step, his works of art are examined and sorted into object groups. KURO, as he has signed his works since the 1960s and is also called by friends and family, has left behind a diverse oeuvre. Paintings, caricatures, drawings, lithographs and political posters are part of his extensive life's work.

Numerous books in which KURO's works can be seen, 2019 © LUDWIGGALERIE

Political illustrations and Jazz Carousel posters, 2019 © LUDWIGGALERIE

Many of his topics have not lost their relevance to this day. More than 30 years after publication, his biting visual commentaries on job cuts, capitalism or the greedy entrepreneurs, whom KURO always portrays as stocky men with hats, suits and cigars, still seem timely.

KURO, born in 1939, completed his studies at the Folkwang School in Essen with the Folkwang Prize in graphic design. During this time he also actively devoted himself to jazz music. For his Jazz Carousel, which takes place monthly in various restaurants in Oberhausen, he organizes national and international jazz greats and caricatures them in his unmistakable style for the announcement on posters.

Posters for events, 2019 © LUDWIGGALERIE

Many Oberhausen residents will also know him as a teacher in drawing and nude painting courses at the adult education center, as well as the initiator and city artist of many painting events with children.

Other recurring themes can be found in landscape depictions from holidays in Croatia, female and male nudes and self-portraits as Don Quixote, in which the freedom fighter's sword is replaced with a brush and palette. Commissioned posters come from parties across Germany such as the Greens or the DKP, but KURO also constantly and strikingly stages city events.

The LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen now preserves another legacy of Rudolf Holtappel, which is being examined, processed and researched. All interested visitors are cordially invited to view the KURO exhibition in the LUDWIGGALERIE from January 31, 2021.

Kerrin Postert