Volker Klein was born in 1950 in Dortmund, Germany, a city that would provide him with the first glimpses of cultural and artistic diversity. From a young age, his artistic sensibilities were nurtured, and by 1967, he had already begun exploring painting as a personal language. His talent was quickly recognized by painter Wolfram Kurzenberger, who became an important figure in his early development as an artist. Kurzenberger’s mentorship not only encouraged Klein’s creativity but also instilled in him the idea that art is not learned only through technical mastery, but also through the experiences and lessons of life.
A Life Intertwined with the Arts
Klein’s creativity was never confined to painting alone. Between 1971 and 1974, he worked as a lead actor in a German television film and participated in numerous theater productions in Munich, immersing himself in the world of performance art. His versatility extended even further into music, where from 1968 to 2021 he performed with the liuto cantabile across Germany, Italy, and France. With several groups, he gave numerous concerts and contributed to recorded works, releasing one LP, two EPs, and two CDs.
This multidisciplinary journey, painting, acting, and music, shaped Klein’s unique approach to artistic creation. His life demonstrates that he is not simply an artist in one medium but a cultural interpreter capable of weaving together diverse forms of expression.
The Concept of Integration
Central to Volker Klein’s art is the interplay between abstract and figurative expressions. While many critics have described this as “contamination,” Klein strongly rejects this term for its negative connotation. To him, contamination suggests pollution, as if the meeting of different styles, cultures, or traditions dilutes their purity. Instead, he proposes the term integration a more accurate reflection of what his art achieves.
Integration, for Klein, is not the blending of elements into something indistinct, but rather the coexistence of opposites. Even contradictory elements can harmonize, creating something new and powerful. This philosophy is deeply embedded in his artistic research: he explores the possibility of transcending conventions and breaking down the rigid compartments into which art has historically been forced.
Integration becomes a metaphor for life itself, where opposing forces, centripetal and centrifugal, attraction and repulsion coexist within a fragile balance. Klein’s works invite viewers to experience the tension and harmony of these dualities, revealing the oxymorons of human existence.
Italy: A New Creative Chapter
In 1980, Klein emigrated to Italy, where he found both love and a new artistic home. Married to Mimma Santarsiero, an Italian woman, he established himself in Rome, a city rich with layers of history and culture. Italy’s vibrant artistic tradition and openness to experimental forms offered fertile ground for his creative pursuits.
From Rome, his career expanded internationally. His works have been exhibited in prestigious venues across the globe, including Mannheim, Naples, Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Turin, New York, Florence, Padua, Sydney, and Stockholm. Each exhibition introduced new audiences to his vision of integrated art that resists boundaries and instead builds connections.
A Multidimensional Artistic Language
Klein’s practice is defined by his ability to merge seemingly contradictory languages. His abstract forms are often charged with symbolic meaning, while his figurative elements emerge not as rigid depictions, but as dynamic presences that interact with the abstract environment around them. This creates a dialogue on the canvas, one that mirrors the dialogues of cultures, traditions, and even inner human conflicts.
He describes this approach as reaching toward a dream dimension, where play, research, and imagination converge. In this dimension, integration becomes a creative process, not simply a result a way to navigate contradictions and transform them into artistic revelations.
Artwork Highlight: Fisherman’s Nightmare
Among his notable works is Fisherman’s Nightmare, a mixed media on canvas piece that reflects his philosophical stance on integration. The title itself evokes tension: the serene image of a fisherman, traditionally associated with patience and calm, is here disrupted by the suggestion of a nightmare.
In the work, figurative traces, perhaps nets, waves, or fragmented figures, intertwine with abstract shapes and textures, creating a space where tranquility collides with unease. The fisherman becomes not only a literal subject but also a metaphor for humanity itself, caught between forces of control and chaos, survival and loss.
Through layered materials and expressive gestures, Klein transforms the nightmare into a universal reflection of existence. The integration of abstract and figurative imagery in this piece mirrors the contradictions of life, suggesting that even in fear or uncertainty, creativity offers a path toward meaning.
Exhibitions and Recognition
Volker Klein’s art has resonated across continents, attracting audiences in both Europe and beyond. His ability to unify diverse traditions makes his work universally accessible, while still rooted in deeply personal exploration. From the bustling cultural capitals of Berlin and New York to the artistic richness of Florence and Rome, his exhibitions affirm his position as a truly international artist.
The scope of his journey from early recognition in Germany to decades of artistic activity in Italy and his global exhibitions illustrates not only his persistence but also his adaptability. His career embodies the very integration he advocates: the union of different places, traditions, and artistic forms into a single creative identity.
Conclusion: The Power of Integration
Volker Klein’s life and work reflect a profound commitment to breaking boundaries. Whether through painting, acting, or music, he has always sought to explore the spaces where opposites meet and new possibilities arise. His rejection of the notion of contamination in favor of integration is not just a theory; it is the very foundation of his artistic vision.
By weaving abstract and figurative expressions together, he reveals the paradoxes and harmonies of human existence. His art does not simply depict; it challenges conventions, opens pathways, and invites viewers into a dreamlike dimension where balance can be found within contradiction.
For Klein, integration is not only an artistic method but a philosophy of life. His journey from Dortmund to Rome, from painting to music and theater, and from local stages to international galleries, proves that art thrives when boundaries dissolve and creativity becomes a bridge between worlds.
