GUENTER KNOP
ARTIST STATEMENT
I see the world in Black and White.
Inspiration for my photographs comes through observations of life and light. Although I experiment with photographic themes, my focus is the translation of the nude of everyday women into timeless pieces of art. I worked with 35mm film because of its textural quality and endless possibilities for exploration. The majority of my work is created in the studio where I can control light, which my favorite tool. Light is a silent language that creates visual depth and directs the viewer to specific points of focus. As of 2012 I switched to photographing digital.
Inspiration for my photographs comes through observations of life and light. Although I experiment with photographic themes, my focus is the translation of the nude of everyday women into timeless pieces of art. I worked with 35mm film because of its textural quality and endless possibilities for exploration. The majority of my work is created in the studio where I can control light, which my favorite tool. Light is a silent language that creates visual depth and directs the viewer to specific points of focus. As of 2012 I switched to photographing digital.
My set design is influenced by communication with my subject and as a result the characterization of each subject varies from shoot to shoot. I photograph only non-models because they possess a more fluid self-expression. Some artists draw on the repetition of themes, but I tend to portray each woman in a different way than the one before. I find my challenge in the variation of the approach and in the need to capture the moment in just one roll of film or now in a limited amount of frames.
RECENT WORK
ABOUT GUENTER KNOP
1954
Born in Germany
1974
Graduation at the Hermann-Boese Gymnasium for boys.
1975-78
Studied agriculture at the Christian-Albrecht University,
Kiel, Germany .
1979-81
First assistant to photographer, Charlotte March,in Hamburg
Fashion editorial, advertising, corporate.
1982
One year trip around the world USA, Japan,Taiwan,Hong Kong,China
for China Travel, Germany .
1983-89
First assistant to Henry Wolf,
Henry Wolf Productions.
Television commercials, still lifes, catalogues, portraits and advertising since1989
Commercial photographer, advertising, cosmetics and editorial
Born in Germany
1974
Graduation at the Hermann-Boese Gymnasium for boys.
1975-78
Studied agriculture at the Christian-Albrecht University,
Kiel, Germany .
1979-81
First assistant to photographer, Charlotte March,in Hamburg
Fashion editorial, advertising, corporate.
1982
One year trip around the world USA, Japan,Taiwan,Hong Kong,China
for China Travel, Germany .
1983-89
First assistant to Henry Wolf,
Henry Wolf Productions.
Television commercials, still lifes, catalogues, portraits and advertising since1989
Commercial photographer, advertising, cosmetics and editorial
EXHIBITIONS
Screen Actors Guild, New York, November 1996
Knop Studio, New York, February, 1997
The Haase Gallery, Chelsea ,New York, December,1997
The Cultural Center Gallery, South Hampton, New York ,August ,1998
The Haase Gallery in Chelsea,New York, November 1998.
The Museum of Sex, The New York Javits Center, July 1999.
Bridgehampton Cultural Center, New York, September 1999
The Schmiede Art Center, Hamburg /Buchholz, Germany, October 1999
Bremer Presseclub 30, November 2000 - 16.January 2001
Kito Art Center, Germany, Febuary 4.2001 - February 28.2001
Haus Hunenburg Achim /Bremen, April.2001 - May.2001
The Old Print Shop, New York, November 2001
Holsteinhaus in Schwerin, Germany, February 2002
Culltural Center Koethen, Germany, April 2002
The Old Print Shop Group show,
Sugar Hill Bistro, July 2002, Neu Brandenburg, Germany, Fall 2002
Galerie Ephemere, Paris, November 2002
Knop Studio, February.2003
The Old Print Shop, New York, February 21.2004
Photogallery Vierrademuhle, Berlin/Neubrandenburg, February 2004
Knop Studio, Paris Mon Amour, Photographs of Paris, September 2005
Dresden, Semper Opera November – January 2005
The Old Print Shop, New York, February 2006
Guenter Knop Studio show “Real Women” November 2006
Show at Phyllis Lucas Gallery 2007/2008
Reference Gallery Soho New York Nov. 2008
Galeria 13 Muz ,Stettin, Poland February 2009
Kultur Forum Historisches U, Pasewalk,Germany February 2009
The Rover Soho, New York May 2010
Salmagundi Art Club Juried Photo& Graphic Exhibtion June 2010
NYAA “Take Home a Nude” Auction at Sotherby’s NY,Oct.18
Show at 532 Thomas Jaeckel Gallery Chelsea NY20010/11
“Neekid Blk Gurls” group show at Rush Gallery Chelsea NY 2011/12
Galerie Kontraste “From Madrid and New York” 21.April –15.Juli 2012 Germany
Galerie (T)raume “New Yorker Akte” , 1.July – 17. Sept. Germany
Screen Actors Guild, New York, November 1996
Knop Studio, New York, February, 1997
The Haase Gallery, Chelsea ,New York, December,1997
The Cultural Center Gallery, South Hampton, New York ,August ,1998
The Haase Gallery in Chelsea,New York, November 1998.
The Museum of Sex, The New York Javits Center, July 1999.
Bridgehampton Cultural Center, New York, September 1999
The Schmiede Art Center, Hamburg /Buchholz, Germany, October 1999
Bremer Presseclub 30, November 2000 - 16.January 2001
Kito Art Center, Germany, Febuary 4.2001 - February 28.2001
Haus Hunenburg Achim /Bremen, April.2001 - May.2001
The Old Print Shop, New York, November 2001
Holsteinhaus in Schwerin, Germany, February 2002
Culltural Center Koethen, Germany, April 2002
The Old Print Shop Group show,
Sugar Hill Bistro, July 2002, Neu Brandenburg, Germany, Fall 2002
Galerie Ephemere, Paris, November 2002
Knop Studio, February.2003
The Old Print Shop, New York, February 21.2004
Photogallery Vierrademuhle, Berlin/Neubrandenburg, February 2004
Knop Studio, Paris Mon Amour, Photographs of Paris, September 2005
Dresden, Semper Opera November – January 2005
The Old Print Shop, New York, February 2006
Guenter Knop Studio show “Real Women” November 2006
Show at Phyllis Lucas Gallery 2007/2008
Reference Gallery Soho New York Nov. 2008
Galeria 13 Muz ,Stettin, Poland February 2009
Kultur Forum Historisches U, Pasewalk,Germany February 2009
The Rover Soho, New York May 2010
Salmagundi Art Club Juried Photo& Graphic Exhibtion June 2010
NYAA “Take Home a Nude” Auction at Sotherby’s NY,Oct.18
Show at 532 Thomas Jaeckel Gallery Chelsea NY20010/11
“Neekid Blk Gurls” group show at Rush Gallery Chelsea NY 2011/12
Galerie Kontraste “From Madrid and New York” 21.April –15.Juli 2012 Germany
Galerie (T)raume “New Yorker Akte” , 1.July – 17. Sept. Germany
Published WORK
Idea Magazine - Japan, 1992
Das Magazin” - Germany, 1994
Nudes Index, Koenemann Verlag, Cologne,1999
Indexi, Feierabend Verlag, Germany 2002
Naked, Feierabend Verlag, Germany 2004
Guenter Knop on Women, Germany Steffen Verlag 2005
Playboy Germany, December 2005
Dresdner Semper Opera / Magazine December 2005
Nude Bible, Tectum Publisher January 2008
Carrie Leigh’s Nude, Magazine 2nd issue Winter 2008
Nudes Index II , Feierabend Verlag, Germany July 2008
Carrie Leigh’s Nude, magazine June 2008
50 World’s Best Photographers Playboy Germany July 2008
Nude Bible II, Tectum Publisher Belgium September 2008
Ragazine.CC On Line Art Magazine March 2011
Musee Magazine On line Photomagazine 1. issue 16. Nov. 2012
Schwarz-Weiss–Magazine, Tecklenborg Verlag Germany Sept. 2012
Nude III, Feierabend Verlag Berlin/Germany 2013
Fantasies in Black/White 4 books # 16,19,31,32 Kunstbuchreihe 26
Idea Magazine - Japan, 1992
Das Magazin” - Germany, 1994
Nudes Index, Koenemann Verlag, Cologne,1999
Indexi, Feierabend Verlag, Germany 2002
Naked, Feierabend Verlag, Germany 2004
Guenter Knop on Women, Germany Steffen Verlag 2005
Playboy Germany, December 2005
Dresdner Semper Opera / Magazine December 2005
Nude Bible, Tectum Publisher January 2008
Carrie Leigh’s Nude, Magazine 2nd issue Winter 2008
Nudes Index II , Feierabend Verlag, Germany July 2008
Carrie Leigh’s Nude, magazine June 2008
50 World’s Best Photographers Playboy Germany July 2008
Nude Bible II, Tectum Publisher Belgium September 2008
Ragazine.CC On Line Art Magazine March 2011
Musee Magazine On line Photomagazine 1. issue 16. Nov. 2012
Schwarz-Weiss–Magazine, Tecklenborg Verlag Germany Sept. 2012
Nude III, Feierabend Verlag Berlin/Germany 2013
Fantasies in Black/White 4 books # 16,19,31,32 Kunstbuchreihe 26
My book
Twenty five years ago I was asked by the world famous art director
Henry Wolf to come to New York and work for him.
I left Germany and built a new life in New York City which
Includes two daughters Camille and Caroline. Today Kristin and Maximilian.
After assisting Henry Wolf for eight years I went on my own.
Commercial work of different kinds paid the bills, but my focus has always been on the female nude.
The concept stayed the same-I wanted my subjects to be real women-
not models. Nudity can be a touchy subject and at first it was hard to find
Volunteers. Soon I had a selection of photographs to show which
made it easier for women to understand my intentions.
When I meet or see a women that I think would be a good subject,
I hand out my card and briefly explain the concept.
They can visit my or my gallery’s website and see for themselves.
The response has always been favorable.
I compiled all the pictures that are with collectors in one book.
“ Guenter Knop on Women “.
This is a book about women for women !!!
16 people of different backgrounds volunteered to write comments about what they see in my book.
My goal is and will always be to photograph real women for their own display and to convert ideas into artworks that represent women as they see themselves.
Henry Wolf to come to New York and work for him.
I left Germany and built a new life in New York City which
Includes two daughters Camille and Caroline. Today Kristin and Maximilian.
After assisting Henry Wolf for eight years I went on my own.
Commercial work of different kinds paid the bills, but my focus has always been on the female nude.
The concept stayed the same-I wanted my subjects to be real women-
not models. Nudity can be a touchy subject and at first it was hard to find
Volunteers. Soon I had a selection of photographs to show which
made it easier for women to understand my intentions.
When I meet or see a women that I think would be a good subject,
I hand out my card and briefly explain the concept.
They can visit my or my gallery’s website and see for themselves.
The response has always been favorable.
I compiled all the pictures that are with collectors in one book.
“ Guenter Knop on Women “.
This is a book about women for women !!!
16 people of different backgrounds volunteered to write comments about what they see in my book.
My goal is and will always be to photograph real women for their own display and to convert ideas into artworks that represent women as they see themselves.
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