Rosemarie Trockel was born in 1952 in Schwerte, West Germany. She embarked on her artistic education at the Werkkunstschule in Cologne in the early 1970s. Trockel’s multidisciplinary approach and innovative thinking were influenced by the vibrant art scene of Cologne, where she was exposed to diverse artistic movements and ideas.
In the 1980s, Trockel emerged as a pivotal figure in contemporary art. She defied conventional categorizations, exploring various mediums including painting, sculpture, photography, and installations. Her work challenged societal norms, particularly regarding gender roles, consumerism, and the intersections between art and craft.
Key to Trockel’s career was her exploration of knitting and textiles as mediums of expression, subverting their traditional domestic associations and infusing them with socio-political commentary. Her iconic “knit paintings” redefined the boundaries of art and craft, confronting established hierarchies within the art world.
Studies and Awards
1974 – 1978
Studied painting at the art school of Cologne/ Prof. Schriefers, Cologne, Germany
1984
Kunstfonds, Bonn, Germany
1985
Scholarship of Kulturkreis der deutschen Wirtschaft, BDI
1989
Ströher Award, Frankfurt, Germany
1991
Fruhtrunk Award, Akademieverein Munich, Germany
1992
Konrad – von – Soest – Award, Münster, Germany
1996
Scholarship of Günther-Peill-Stiftung, Düren, Germany
1999
Artaward of Kulturstiftung der Stadtsparkasse, Munich, Germany
2001
Kulturpreis, Cologne, Germany
2004
Wolfgang-Hahn-Preis, Cologne, Germany
2006
Aufnahme in die Westfälische Ehrengalerie/Gallery of Honor of Westphalia (mit / with Annette von Droste-Hülshoff), Germany
2008
Kunstpreis der Landeshauptstadt, Düsseldorf, Germany
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2018
Moderna Museet Malmo, Malmö, Sweden
2017
Plus Quam Perfekt, Galdstone 64, New York
Knitted Works, Skarstedt, London
Wasser, das da noch kocht, CAC Centro de Arte Contemporáneo, Málaga
2016
Reflections / Riflessioni. Rosemarie Trockel And Works From Torino Collections, Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli, Turin
Märzschnee Ûnd Wiebôrweh Sand Am Marg Niana Më, Kunsthaus Bregenz, Bregenz
2013
Sprüth Magers, London
A Cosmos, Serpentine Gallery, London
Flagrant Delight, Museion, Bozen
2012
A Cosmos, New Museum New York
Un cosmos, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid
(with Paloma Varga Weisz), Museum Morsbroich, Leverkusen
In the Spirit of Walser, Donald Young Gallery, Chicago IL
Flagrant Delight, Wiels, Brüssel
2011
Mönchehaus Museum Goslar, Goslar
Zeichnungen, Collagen und Buchentwürfe, Kunst Museum Bonn, Bonn
Drawings, Collages and Book Drafts, Talbot Rice Gallery, Edingburgh
2010
Verflüssigung der Mutter, Kunsthalle Zürich, Zurich
Zeichnungen, Collagen und Buchentwürfe, Kunstmuseum Basel, Basel
2008
Neue Arbeiten, Georg Kargl Fine Arts, Wien
favorite things, Donald Young Gallery, Chicago
2007
Selected drawings, objects and videoworks, Museo Paco des Artes Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
2006/2007
RO´MA – Rosemarie Trockel and Marcus Lüpertz, Museum Küppersmühle, Duisburg, ALBION Gallery, London
2006
Country Life, New Ceramics, and Pottery, Gladstone Gallery, New York
2005/06
Menopause, Museum Ludwig, Köln
2004
Sprüht Magers Galerie, Köln
2003
L´imitation d´Anne, Galerie Anne Villepoix, Paris (with Carol Rama)
Kinderzimmer, Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt am Main
2002
She never promised you, Galerie Stampa, Basel
2001
Manus Spleen, Barbara Gladstone Gallery, New York
Metamorphoses and Mutations, The Drawing Center, New York
2000
Drawings, Centre George Pompidou, Paris
Fernweh, Kunst auf der Zugspitze, Garmisch-Partenkirchen zusammen mit Neues Museum, Staatliches Museum für Kunst and Design, Nürnberg
Pause, Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Center, Athen
(with Carsten Höller), Expo 2000, Hannover
1999
La Biennale di Venezia, Deutscher Pavillon, Venedig
(with Carsten Höller), Häuser, Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, Paris
1998
Werkgruppen 1986-1998, Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg
Whitechapel Art Gallery, London
(with Carsten Höller), Donald Young Gallery, Seattle
Paare, Leopold-Hoesch-Museum, Düren
1997
Gudrun, Kunstverein Schwerte e. V., Schwerte
Yvonne, Barbara Gladstone Gallery, New York
1996
Nolan/Eckman Gallery, New York
Biennale Sydney
Akira Ikeda Gallery, Tokio
Center for Contemporary Art, Ujazdowki Castle, Warschau
1995
Gipsmodelle und Entwürfe, Galerie Metropol, Vienna+Museum in Progress, Wien
1994
Galleria Lucio Amelio, Napels
Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney
MAK-Galerie, Museum für angewandte Kunst, Wien
Biennale de Sao Paulo, Brazil
1992
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki
1991
Museum für Gegenwartskunst, Basel
Neuer Berliner Kunstverein, Berlin
Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
1990
Gallery Susanne Ottensen, Copenhagen
1988
Projects: Rosemarie Trockel, Museum of Modern Art, New York
ICA – Institute of Contemporary Art, London
Barbara Gladstone Gallery, New York
1986
Galerie Erika & Otto Friedrich, Bern
1985
Bilder – Skulpturen – Zeichnungen, Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Bonn
1984
Galerie Ascan Crone, Hamburg
1983
Monika Sprüth Galerie, Köln