Joseph Beuys

Joseph Beuys was born in 1921 in Germany. As a teenager he was involved in Hitler youth and participated in several demonstrations. He was always interested in natural sciences, but decided that he wanted to become a sculptor at a young age. He was a gunner in WW2 and was shot down. When he was, he stated that tribesman rescued him and covered his body in felt and animal fat to protect him. However, when he was found researchers never found record of any tribesmen in the area. This is why he uses felt and lard in many of his works.

He is considered to be one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. He used his work for social sculptures. He was influenced by ideas that were going on in society. All of his artwork was based on the human body producing a good. His work with the hare was considered by some critics as the new Mona Lisa of the 20th century. His work where he locked himself in a gallery with a coyote he says that he wanted to isolate himself and only look at the American coyote and nothing else. He actually never even stepped foot on American soil.

He died in 1986.