E V O L U T I O N | KAUTZINSKI

The renowned international abstract painter and sculptor Karl-Heinz Kautzinski lives and works in Bielefeld, Germany. Born in Siebenstern, Germany, Kautzinski has been pursuing his dual-passions of textile design and painting since his youth. He has always had an "inner drive to do something that has to do with art," he says.

He began experimenting with textile design in 1971 and his creative style was met with enthusiasm and instant acclaim. Kautzinski went on to direct his creative skills towards painting. Since 1980 he has been working as a freelance artist and textile designer.

Kautzinski creates dimensional paintings utilizing shell pigments and bronze sculpture that expresses a concept he calls EVOLUTION that was inspired by a visit to Martha's Vineyard. "They don't shock, they don't teach, they remind us," he says.

For Kautzinski culture and visual arts are a lot more than mere beauty. "I believe that dialogue is an opportunity for people with different cultural and traditional backgrounds to get to know each other better," he says. It isn't important whether or not you live at opposite ends of the world or on the same street, he says, in the fight for peace, artists play a special role. "Not only do artists talk to people but on behalf of people as well. Art is a weapon against ignorance and hate, and it also embodies the human conscience. Art opens new doors to learn, to understand and to achieve peace between the peoples and nations of the earth."

In 2008, the Dutch Prime Minister, Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende presented Kautzinski with an honors award for his art at Schildersweek, or "Paintersweek" in Domburg, the Netherlands. Balkenende said that what makes Kautzinski's art special is that it both connects with people and connects peoples.

EVOLUTION runs through August. There will be an artist reception during the First Friday Artwalk on August 6th featuring wine by Liquid Assets and special guest, Ashland mayor John Stromberg who is tentatively scheduled to speak at 7 p.m.