Five impressive sculptures have stood prominently on the southern forecourt of St. Pauli Monastery since 1992, representing the remarkable outcome of the 1st International Sculptor Pleinair event. The ambitious project brought together five talented artists from Holland, Portugal, Belgium, and Germany to create monumental works of art in an outdoor setting.
The intensive sculptural workshop took place from August 21 to September 19, during which the participating artists worked under open skies, equipped with protective goggles and breathing masks. They meticulously carved massive blocks of marble, diabase, and dolomite using saws, drills, and hammers. The raw materials delivered for the project weighed an impressive total of 36 tons.
The innovative concept was conceived by local artist Dietmar Block, who successfully secured funding from city, state, and federal sources to make the ambitious project possible. The term "pleinair" traditionally refers to painting in the open air, but for this unique event, it was adapted to mean stone sculpting under the open sky.
Dutch artist Jolanda Prinsen created an oversized vase from Portuguese white marble at the foot of the medieval Dominican monastery. Her sculpture, resting in a shell-like base, bears the evocative title "You Don't Hear Me Cry." The monumental piece demonstrates her skill in transforming raw stone into an emotionally resonant artwork.
German artist Anja Gläser, who was 28 years old at the time, crafted a touching sculpture from white marble depicting three intimately connected figures representing mother, father, and child. She straightforwardly titled her work "Family," and the Berlin-based artist's piece captures the essence of familial bonds in stone.
Colin Figue, a British-born artist who had been living in Portugal for many years, also worked with white marble to create his sculpture titled "Cosmos." His piece reflects his international perspective and artistic vision developed through his cross-cultural experiences.
Wolf Bröll from Stuttgart took on the challenge of working with black diabase, creating a weathered-looking "Stone-Grown Head" that stands over ten feet tall. His impressive sculpture was carved from a single block weighing ten tons, demonstrating both his technical skill and artistic vision in handling such massive material.
Belgian artist Emiel Uytterhoeven completed the collection by creating a reclining stone sculpture from dolomite, which he titled "Beginning of Movement." His work represents the dynamic potential contained within seemingly static stone, adding a philosophical dimension to the outdoor gallery.
These five permanent installations continue to serve as a testament to international artistic collaboration and the transformation of raw materials into meaningful public art. The sculptures have become an integral part of the monastery's landscape, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience contemporary art in a historic setting.
