Biography
1941 born in Liberec, Bohemia
1956-1961 studies at the Werkkunstschule Krefeld; works underground in a coal mine and also in road construction for one year; spends time in Paris
1962 moves to Berlin; begins his "dithyrambic painting"
1970 wins the Villa Romana prize
1974 organises the first Berlin Biennale
1982 takes part in documenta 7 in Kassel
1986 Professor at the Staatliche Kunstakademie Düsseldorf
1988-2009 Director of the Staatliche Kunstakademie Düsseldorf
1990 wins the Lovis Corinth prize awarded by the Künstlergilde Esslingen
2004 wins the fourth Julio González International Prize
2006 Honoris Causa doctor of the Breslau Art Academy in Wroclaw, Poland
lives and works in Berlin, Düsseldorf and Karlsruhe
