Merchant of Happiness and Archeolog of the Future
The Alsatian artist R.E. Waydelich has built a protean body of work, which combines collage, printmaking, sculpture and installations. Meticulous and fanciful, his work is of unusual earthiness, humor and poetry at the same time melancholy and full of humor. Passionate about archeology and a tireless collector of objects and photos he assembles, paints and preserves things exploring time and memory.
Outlines Gallery is priveleged to present a collection of his original prints, etchings and paintings.
Raymond Emile Waydelich
Browse this Artist’s Work
Born in Strasbourg-Neudorf, on 14 September 1938. Son of Marcel Waydelich, cabinetmaker and Frieda Schneider, botanist.
Background
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