(1921-1986)
German sculptor and performance artist. He was one of the leaders of the European avant-garde during the 1970s and 1980s. An exponent of Arte Povera, he made use of so-called “worthless”, unusual materials such as felt and fat. His best-known performance was How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare 1965. He was also an influential exponent of video art, for example, Felt TV 1968.
Beuys saw the artist as a shaman and art as an agent of social and spiritual change.