Eugene Von Bruenchenhein, untitled (Marie, double exposure), c. 1943-60
Eugene Von Bruenchenhein (1910–1983) was an American self-taught artist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He left a vast archive of poetry, apocalyptic paintings, paintbrushes made with his wife’s hair, drawings, notebooks, audio tapes and hundreds of sculptures made from chicken bones, ceramic and cast cement. But what really catches the eye are his photographs of his wife, Marie.
In 1939 Eugene met Evelyn Kalka (1920 – 1989). After they married in 1943 Evelyn came to be known as ‘Marie’, a name she took on in honour of one of Eugene’s favourite aunts. The couple moved into his father’s former storefront at 514 South 94th Place. It was here that Eugene and Marie established an “all-encompassing” world of their own – a world where stages of exotic theatres were mounted.
Eugene set up a darkroom in their bathroom. And he started to photograph Marie at home. Using leftover materials as backdrops and props, Von Bruenchenhein created transformative stages for Marie to pose on. She dressed up in exotic costumes, smiled like a pin-up and struck starlet-like poses.E ugene made crowns and elaborate jewellery for Marie out of clay which he dug himself
And Eugene took her thousands of photographs of his favourite muse and beloved wife.
Eugene Von Bruenchenhein, archival photo of the artist’s handmade plaque in the kitchen of his home, early 1980s (photo courtesy of John Michael Kohler Arts Center)
Eugene Von Bruenchenhein, Untitled (bulletin board), no date, metal, wood, paint, graphite, ink, paper, and mixed media; 35 3:8 x 58 1:8 x 3 inches (photo by Rich Maciejewski, courtesy of John Michael Kohler Arts Center)
It was only after Eugene’s death on January 24, 1983, that his friend Daniel Nycz got the attention of Russell Bowman, the director of the Milwaukee Art Museum. In September 1983, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, began cataloguing the entire collection.
Via: Christian berst
Would you like to support Flashbak?
Please consider making a donation to our site. We don't want to rely on ads to bring you the best of visual culture. You can also support us by signing up to our Mailing List. And you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For great art and culture delivered to your door, visit our shop.
