About Imi Knoebel
Imi Knoebel, born in 1940 in Dessau, Germany, is a leading figure in minimalist art, recognized for his deep exploration of form, color, and material. Although he studied under Joseph Beuys at the Düsseldorf Art Academy, his direction was strongly shaped by Kazimir Malevich’s geometric abstraction.
Knoebel’s work across painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and installations continues Malevich’s idea of “pure perception,” emphasizing simplicity of form and color to achieve visual purity. As he explains, “When I am asked what I think when I look at a painting, I can only answer that I don’t think at all; I look at it and can only take in the beauty.” This reflects his belief in the self-sufficiency of the artwork and the primacy of direct visual experience.
Often working in series, Knoebel’s minimal compositions use a strict formal vocabulary and refined color palette, highlighting the inherent qualities of materials like fiberboard, plywood, and aluminum. His limited edition prints explore the relationships between space, color, and form, encouraging viewers to engage with the fundamentals of visual art. Knoebel’s artwork has been widely exhibited, including at documenta and in major retrospectives at Haus der Kunst in Munich, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, the Institut Valencià d’Art Modern, and the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin.
