Raymond E.Waydelich
Raymond E.Waydelich ( 1938 – 2024 )
Born in Strasbourg in 1938, artist Raymond E. Waydelich has
been a prominent figure well before his works travelled internationally. Known locally as a pianist, singer, and creator of 1970s Happenings, as well as a contemporary artist, Raymond remains a vital part of Alsatian culture.
His impressive painted and sculpted works are displayed in homes across the region, even gracing a fine Alsatian restaurant with fanciful beasts that adorn menus or hold candles.
After studying in Strasbourg and Paris, the young Waydelich travelled through North Africa as a photographer, where he developed an interest in archaeology, which he now explores as “the archaeology of the future. „
A passionate collector, Raymond disassembles and reassembles objects, paints, preserves, and documents, creating both two-dimensional and sculptural pieces. His works resemble a deck of cards shuffled into intriguing new juxtapositions, capturing the world and its contents.
Even his serious pieces reveal his wit, playfulness, and poetry. One notable discovery was a photographic portrait of Lydia Jacob, a 19th-century Strasbourg seamstress, whose story inspired a cycle of works he has been developing since 1973, known as the “Lydia Jacob Story. “ The artist humorously remarks, “Lydia Jacob? C´est moi. „
In 1978, his work was showcased at the Venice Biennale, followed by exhibitions in Paris, New York, and Tokyo. His prize-winning paintings, collages, objects, and installations continue to be exhibited across Europe and beyond.
The LYDIA JACOB STORY Cards offer viewers a personal exhibition to enjoy at home. Raymond E. Waydelich invites both loyal and new fans to pick a card and immerse themselves in his – and Lydia Jacob´s – universe.
