Blinky Palermo: Minimalism and Modern Redemption

Blinky Palermo

1943–77 | German | Sculpture; Mixed Media

Palermo’s real name was Peter Heisterkamp. He was a short-lived refugee from communist East Germany to Düsseldorf (1954) and a disciple of Joseph Beuys. He adopted the pseudonym Palermo of a notorious gangster in the film The Godfather (1972). Palermo’s work was to use art as a means of modern salvation. This pursuit of redemption ran too far ahead of the achievement.

Blinky PalermoRetrospective 1964-1977

KEY WORKS: Series, 1970 (London: Tate Collection); United (Fabric Painting), 1970 (Frankfurt: Städel Museum); Untitled, 1976–77 (New York: Dia Beacon)