Altdorfs earliest poems, written during military service and as a prisoner of war, reflected on nature, poetry and art. Beginning a new life, post-war, as an artist, Altdorf explored how the human figure might be depicted through increasingly abstract representations. Similarly, he refined his poetry to create a new, free, melodic language with a simple, song-like beauty. Presenting Altdorfs poetry alongside his art reveals a powerfully interconnected vision shaped but not defined by war: a humanitarian outlook informed by a profound spiritual belief.
Born in Pomerania, the German artist Egon Altdorf (1922-2008) settled in 1946 in Wiesbaden, where he worked as a sculptor, printmaker and stained-glass designer. Throughout his life he wrote poetry, creating a body of work that reflects upon his own art, the art of others and the world around him. Dr Judith LeGrove is a writer who has worked extensively with artists and their archives. Recent publications include Geoffrey Clarke: a sculptor's materials (2017), Into the Light: The Art of Egon Altdorf (2023) and Kenneth Draper: On the Edge of Sculpture (2023). Michael Trevor was a production designer for many years. His credits include The Secret Agent (BBC 1992, from Joseph Conrad's novel), The Ice House (BBC 1997), and a short film by Christophe Gerard, Annotations (2001). He has longstanding interests in architectural history, poetry, and German literature.
