Isa Genzken

More about the book

Isa Genzken is one of the most significant female artists of the past 30 years, yet her extensive contributions across various media—sculptures, paintings, photographs, collages, drawings, artist's books, films, installations, and public works—remain largely underrecognized in the United States. This publication coincides with the first comprehensive retrospective of her diverse work, covering 40 years and serving as the most complete English monograph on her. Genzken has been a key figure in the art world since her mid-1970s exhibitions, inspiring a new generation of artists with her innovative approach. The last decade has been particularly fruitful for her, as she has redefined assemblage for contemporary art. The catalogue features essays that trace her artistic evolution from 1973 to the present, along with an extensive plate section that chronologically outlines her major works and exhibitions. Born in Germany in 1948, Genzken gained early acclaim for her geometric wood sculptures while studying at Dusseldorf's Kunstakademie. Her work has since evolved to include sculptures in various materials, influenced by Minimalism yet rich in narrative. From the 1990s onward, she has produced increasingly intricate sculptural installations, alongside paintings that explore surface and light.