artnet Asks: Minimalist Sculptor Peter Weber

Peter Weber
Photo courtesy of the artist and Galerie Bender.

Originally trained as a typesetter and dabbling in playing jazz on the double bass, Peter Weber moved into the pictorial arts, studying at the Fachhochscule in Hamburg under non-objective painter Max H. Mahlmann. In Weber’s early career as an artist, he worked with paint and canvas, exploring imaginary space, taking influence from Mahlmann’s exploration of geometric constructivism. Since 2001, he has worked mainly in the felt medium (although he has also worked in steel and paper), still utilizing geometry as a leading element, folding large single pieces of wool felt into patterns. His work has been exhibited internationally, and is housed in over 35 public and private collections, including Museum für Redktive Kunst in Swiadow, Helms-Museum in Hamburg, and the Landesmuseum in Linz.

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
During my studies in visual communication at the end of the 1960s, my love for the visual arts grew more and more, and I decided to become an artist.

Peter Weber, Vernetzung II FRT6 (35) (2008)
Wool felt 46.1 x 61.8 in.
Photo courtesy of the artist and Galerie Bender.

What inspires you?
At the moment, I am very thrilled by the incredible possibilities of the folding technique I developed to do my pieces. Ever since, I have been excited about what I can watch in nature.

Peter Weber, Hünfeld
Steel sculpture
Photo courtesy of the artist and Galerie Bender.

If you could own any work of modern or contemporary art, what would it be?
A work by Naum Gabo.

Peter Weber, Vernetzung II FBLC6 (2010)
Wool felt 20.9 x 21.3 in.
Photo: courtesy of the artist and Galerie Bender.

What are you working on at the moment?
I am working on new structures in my foldings, which I started to develop over the past months. After working over the last years mainly with woolen felt, I am returning to work with high-quality handmade paper again, and I returned to work with metal and stainless and Corten steel.

When not making art, what do you like to do?
Play my double bass with my jazz musician friends and take care of my bees!