Martin Schaub, an 81-year-old wood sculptor from Braach, Germany, has opened his latest exhibition "Everything Shovels or What?" at the Gallery in the Stift in Bad Hersfeld, showcasing 54 works that demonstrate his unique approach to reflecting both everyday life and world events through wood sculptures and innovative printing techniques. The exhibition provides intimate glimpses into Schaub's creative process, featuring both two-dimensional and three-dimensional works that serve as a living, often abstract diary of his thoughts.
Schaub's artistic journey began during the historic turning point of 1989, coinciding with the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification. It was during this period of border opening that the world symbolically unfolded, inspiring Schaub to open his own artistic door. One of his first major sculptural works was a 3.5-meter tall Saint Francis, created as a shining beacon of hope during this transformative time. This piece established the colorful thread that would run through his entire body of work.
The current exhibition is divided into two distinct parts, each offering different perspectives on Schaub's artistic evolution. The first section focuses on the titular shovels, which became a central design element after the artist discovered a rusty shovel during a vacation. This find inspired him to develop two different printing techniques using shovel forms as his primary motif.
Schaub's innovative printing methods showcase his technical mastery and creative vision. His first technique involves relief printing from wooden boards, where forms and lines are engraved into the boards, colored, and used as printing blocks. The second method involves printing from specially crafted wooden sculptures, where the sculptures are coated with printing ink and pressed onto glue-soaked cloths. These cloths become stiff when dried and don't wrinkle, creating unique textural effects. The exhibition displays the original figures and printing blocks directly next to the finished images, making the creative process visible to visitors.
The sculptor's works serve as mirrors of his thoughts about both mundane daily experiences and world-changing events. His figures, which often maintain natural forms, incorporate his knowledge of figure drawing, skills he developed through various summer academies. However, Schaub doesn't focus on detailed representation but instead emphasizes the body parts most important to his message, often through abstract limbs or heads. "I wanted the figures to speak through their uniqueness," the artist explains.
One particularly powerful example of how Schaub connects world events with physical expression is his carved boat filled with refugees. This sculpture, titled "Distress at Sea," features people with enlarged hands that symbolize their desperation and will to survive as they cling to themselves and the boat. The oversized hands represent what people experience with their hands in such desperate situations, creating a visceral connection between viewer and subject.
As a trained art educator, Schaub made a conscious decision to work primarily with wood because it's easier to obtain in rural areas. He particularly favors working with linden wood and shows his attention to detail in his choice of tools, preferring the versatile, sharp flat gouge above all others. His personal favorite piece is "The Musician with the Double Bass," inspired by a double bass player who played with his entire body and could convey a completely different feeling through his physical engagement with the instrument.
The second part of the exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to revisit Schaub's older works, created before his "shovel period." "I want them to be seen again and get their attention," Schaub emphasizes, highlighting the importance of his artistic legacy. This retrospective section provides context for understanding the evolution of his artistic vision and techniques over the decades.
Despite challenges including a broken elevator, approximately 50 visitors found their way to the opening reception on the third floor of the museum in late October. This exhibition marks not only Schaub's fourth show in Bad Hersfeld but potentially one of his last. The artist recently had to give up his studio in the former Chrischona Hall in Braach and now has significantly less workspace available.
"I think this exhibition will also be my last," Schaub reflects on his future prospects. However, he remains engaged with his audience, offering personal guided tours and expressing his desire to connect with visitors. "I'm happy to give personal tours and engage in conversations with interested people. It's time for people to get to know me now and thereby develop familiarity with my works," he says.
The exhibition "Everything Shovels or What?" will remain open through December 31st at the Gallery in the Stift in Bad Hersfeld, providing art enthusiasts with the opportunity to experience Schaub's unique blend of wood, color, and linen that captures both the intimate details of daily life and the sweeping movements of history. His work stands as a testament to how art can serve as both personal expression and universal commentary on the human condition.
