Raymond Waydelich  Outlines Gallery Go to Raymond Waydelich's Artworks
I was sent to Soursac in the Perigord during World War II to stay with my grandmother, Frédérique born in 1888 in Strasbourg Neudorf, my grandfather Emile, a cabinetmaker and my mother Frieda. Back to Neudorf in 1941, we were housed in Gougenheim and I attended school in 1943. Two years later in 1945, we returned to Neudorf. It was the end of the war and I heard spoken French for the first time. At that time, I discovered bananas, chewing gum as well as the transistor radio (American). In 1947, I made the acquaintance of Zorro, Errol Flynn and John Wayne at the Scala and Polygone cinemas in Strasbourg-Neudorf. I became a dreamer and was expelled from the municipal school rue du Lazaret. Hopeless, at 10 I attended the Matzenheim college. I read in the newspaper Spirou in the stories of Uncle Paul, "The Life of Heinrich Schliemann, the man who discovered Troy." He has fascinated me all my life. In 1949 I became seriously ill and was obliged to return to Neudorf rue du Zellenberg. During the 18 months I was confined to bed, I took the time to read, a miracle. Destiny did not want me dead. I started dreaming of fishing, palm trees, travelling. At 14, I was apprenticed to my father, a wood sculptor. At 15, by the grace of Professor Louis Fritsch, I got into Strasbourg Arts Deco. My life was changed. It was another world. At the end of four years I obtained my first diploma and Grand Prix of the city of Strasbourg. I passed the entrance exam of the Arts Deco School of Paris, where I spent two years and obtained my second diploma. In 1959, deferred conscript, I left with the 2nd Engineers of Metz. I asked to serve with Information & Photos. After 9 months, I asked to join the photographic division and I left as a photographer with 12th Engineers in Algeria. I stayed there for 18 months and it was war! (maintaining order). In 1961 I made my first photographic report on the Roman archaeological sites in Algeria. At the beginning of 1962, I returned to my father's cabinet-making business in Neudorf as a decorator. It was around 1970 that I started to try out plastic modelling. I travelled to North Tunisia to investigate the archaeology of Tabarka. In 1971, my first piece of work relating to my archaeological studies. In 1972 I travelled and visited the ancient sites of Ephesus, etc. in Turkey. In 1973 I found an 1890 manuscript which belonged to an apprentice fashion designer, Lydia Jacob, born in Neudorf. I started to recount her life, she has become my associate. My life was transformed, and Lydia became a star. I had my first exhibition in 1973/74. In 1978, I was chosen for the Venice biennale, ten years after Hans Arp. In the French Pavilion (commissioner J.J. Leveque), I exhibited "L'homme de Frehof, 2720 apres J.C." which I dedicated to Lydia Jacob. The exhibitions and travels continue.
R.E. Waydelich: |