Bernd Zimmermann is an artist born in Ebingen in 1937. Since the early 1980s Corçà, a small village in Catalonia, has been his second home. This portrait summarises his life and work.
Bernd Zimmermann at a glance
- Born: 1937 in Ebingen
- Career: first a commercial apprenticeship following the family tradition, although his artistic ambitions went back to childhood
- Exhibitions: from 1978 a busy exhibition schedule at home and abroad
- Artists’ guild: member of the Künstlergilde Hechingen since 1979
- Woodcuts: he owes the impetus and important technical help to the Öschingen woodcut artist Klaus Herzer
- Second home: Corçà in Catalonia, since the early 1980s
In the north-south gradient, the living environment and the artistic work of Bernd Zimmermann takes place. His CV is quickly told and allows little direct conclusions about his art. Born in Ebingen in 1937. Growing up in a family that was characterized by commercial interests, he shows artistic ambitions very early on. With great enthusiasm he modeled and drawn even as a child. His drawing teacher Schwenk gives him the well-intentioned advice when leaving the Ebingen secondary school: “You have talent, use it!”
But that could not be said at first. In the difficult time after the Second World War, Bernd Zimmermann was initially unable to realize his wish to become an artist. According to the family tradition, he did a commercial apprenticeship and took over the grandfather’s business. Only gradually was he able to free himself from the economic and financial constraints in order to then deal intensively with the artistic work in his own workshop again from 1975.
The founding of the Paulusgalerie, which has offered many artists a forum since the years of its existence to exhibit their works, also falls during this time. Valuable contacts and fruitful artistic arguments emerged.
From 1978 onwards, there was also a lively exhibition activity at home and abroad.
Bernd Zimmermann has been a member of the Hechingen Artists’ Guild since 1979.
He owes the impetus for the production of woodcuts and important technical help to the Öschinger wood cutter Klaus Herzer.
For Bernd Zimmermann, Corcá, a small, historic village in Catalonia, in northern Spain, has become the second home for Bernd Zimmermann since the early 1980s. There he acquired a house whose age cannot be determined exactly, but whose foundations are probably still of pre-Christian origin. In this magical ambience he gains the creative power to implement his artistic visions. The Mediterranean climate, the fascination of the country and the people, houses and the sea, stimulates sensitivity in a creative way.
It seems to be the appropriate breeding ground that is predestined to produce artists.
Let’s just think of the great Catalans Miró, Dalí, Tapies and others. Art and handicrafts have a tradition in Catalonia.
There are now many friendly relationships with Catalan artists and artistic circles, in which Zimmermann is already so integrated that he has become one of hers.
Heidrun Bucher-Schlichtenberger
Frequently asked questions about Bernd Zimmermann
Who is Bernd Zimmermann?
An artist born in Ebingen in 1937 whose life and work unfold between Germany and Catalonia (according to our portrait).
When and where was Bernd Zimmermann born?
1937 in Ebingen (according to our portrait).
Where does Bernd Zimmermann have a second home?
Since the early 1980s in Corçà, a small village rich in history in Catalonia. There he bought a house whose foundations are probably of pre-Christian origin (according to our portrait).
Since when has Bernd Zimmermann exhibited?
From 1978 he had a busy exhibition schedule at home and abroad. He has been a member of the Künstlergilde Hechingen since 1979 (according to our portrait).
Which technique does Bernd Zimmermann use?
Among other things he makes woodcuts. He owes the impetus and important technical help to the Öschingen woodcut artist Klaus Herzer (according to our portrait).
