The Evolution of Wolfgang Tillmans

Wolfgang was born in Remscheid, Germany in 1968 and studied at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design in England. He gained recognition in the 1990s for his candid and intimate portraits of his friends and acquaintances in the LGBTQ+ community. His early work was characterized by its rawness and authenticity, capturing moments of intimacy, vulnerability, and identity. In 1995 he held his first solo exhibition at the Kunsthalle Zurich, where he presented a series of large-scale color photographs that were displayed unframed and taped directly to the gallery walls, challenging the traditional presentation of photographs as framed objects. This unconventional display method was seen as a deliberate rejection of the commercialization of art and the commodification of the photographic image.

Courtesy of Wolfgang Tillmans, David Zwirner, New York / Hong Kong, Galerie Buchholz, Berlin / Cologne, Maureen Paley, London

In 2000 Wolfgang was awarded the prestigious Turner Prize, becoming the first photographer to receive this esteemed honor. The award recognized his groundbreaking approach to image-making and his ability to capture the zeitgeist of the ’90s LGBTQ+ community. Wolfgang’s work is often discussed for its unique approach to portraiture. Rather than capturing traditional posed portraits, he captures his subjects in candid and vulnerable moments, revealing their personalities and emotions. His portraits are characterized by their intimacy and authenticity, often challenging societal norms and expectations of how individuals should be represented.

Courtesy of Wolfgang Tillmans, David Zwirner, New York/Hong Kong, Galerie Buchholz, Berlin/Cologne, Maureen Paley, London

In his image of Frank Ocean Wolfgang presents an unpolished view of the celebrity, his face obscured.

Wolfgang’s work has continued to evolve over the years, incorporating new technologies and experimenting with printing techniques. He has also continued his artistic practice beyond photography—incorporating elements of installation, sculpture, and music into his work. This interdisciplinary approach has further cemented his status as a pioneering figure in the contemporary art world, challenging the boundaries of traditional photography and constantly pushing the envelope of what is possible within the medium.

Courtesy of Wolfgang Tillmans, David Zwirner, New York / Hong Kong, Galerie Buchholz, Berlin / Cologne, Maureen Paley, London

In recent years Wolfgang has continued to engage with social and political issues in his work. He has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, immigration reform, and environmental activism. In 2016 he created a series of posters advocating for Britain to remain in the European Union, which were widely circulated during the Brexit referendum. His work continues to reflect his deep engagement with the world and his commitment to using art as a means of raising awareness and sparking dialogue. His current retrospective, “To Look Without Fear,” is now on view at the Art Gallery of Ontario. It’s a broad cross section of the artist’s work, ranging from his London club days to his summer in Fire Island, all presented with his trademark brutal honesty.

Wolfgang Tillmans, Lutz, Alex, Suzanne & Christoph on beach (b/w), 1993
Image by Wolfgang Tillmans
Courtesy David Zwirner, New York/Hong Kong; Galerie Buchholz, Berlin/Cologne; and Maureen Paley, London