Life and Artistic Evolution
Born in Bitterfeld, Germany, Jochen Seidel was the son of an engineer. His early life was marked by the loss of his father, an event that deeply influenced his outlook. During World War II, his talent for painting led him to create portraits of officers before he was taken into British captivity. Following his release, he studied painting at the Burg Giebichenstein Art School in Halle (Saale) under Charles Crodel. To support himself during his studies, he painted large propaganda murals.
Seidel eventually moved to West Berlin in 1953, following Hermann Bachmann. In Berlin, he developed a non-figurative painting style and gained recognition through exhibitions in cities such as Vienna, Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki, Caracas, Lima, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo. He also exhibited at the Carnegie International Exhibition in Pittsburgh in 1961 and 1964. In 1962, he became a teacher at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and later taught at the Pratt Institute in New York City.
Style and Later Years
The work of Jochen Seidel is characterized by constant experimentation. His technique shifted between photo-realism and total abstraction, often blending fields of color with text. His later period in New York City was marked by personal and political turbulence. Following the dissolution of his family in 1968, his work became self-reflective, mirroring both his personal struggles and the political unrest surrounding him.
Seidel passed away in New York City. His ashes were scattered into the sea at Cape Cod by his friends. His legacy is preserved in numerous collections, including:
Questions & Answers
Can I study Jochen Seidel's use of color across all works?
The color profile of Jochen Seidel's work is shown on the artist's Palette Genome page.
Where are Jochen Seidel's artworks grouped by palette?
The By Palettes page groups Jochen Seidel's artworks by their color palettes.
What other names is Jochen Seidel known by?
Jochen Seidel appears under the alternate names Hans Joachim Seidel, Jochen.
What are the birth city and country of Jochen Seidel?
Jochen Seidel was born in Bitterfeld, in Germany.
