Bernd Pöppelmann

Human activities affect virtually every living things on earth. In the last few decades, numerous authors and documentary film makers have pointed attention to this devastating relationship between mankind and nature, however, very few painters have pointed into this domain. A notable exception is Bernd Pöppelmann. Pöppelmann's work forces us to look nature and humans in juxtaposition with one another. He brings to our attention the compelling contemporary concern of the human's relationship with nature.

Robert Bateman. Canadian animal painter. 2010

In painting cycles titled “Ark” and “Tracks” Bernd Pöppelmann symbolically represents the tension between the incredible diversity of life on our planet and the imminent threat to this natural wealth by human activity. At the same time the paintings illustrate that what binds humans in the natural world at the deepest emotional level. A close, physical and even instinctive connection can be sensed, and contains hope that the fragile life communities on planet Earth will be preserved for future generations.

Walter Bednarek. Biologist and author. 2008

I initially met Bernd Pöppelmann. I loved the realism that characterizes his portraits of wild animals in their natural habitat, the precision and attention to detail. But even more significant for me was the way he had managed to capture the very essence - the being-ness - in the animals he had painted. Pöppelmann's understanding of and respect for animals and his fascination with the wondrous complexity and diversity of the natural world are themes that run through his works.

Jane Goodall. Chimpanzee researcher and UN Messenger of Peace. 2010

Bernd Pöppelmann shows the viewer the fascination with which he looks at wild animals and at the same time lets him feel how much these animals are being oppressed by civilization. He himself feels most comfortable when he is where his motifs are at home. He wants to get close to them, observe them and study their movements and behavior over and over again.

Andreas Kläne. Journalist and author. 2005

In a press release from the Natural History Museum in Magdeburg on August 7th, 2008, Bernd Pöppelmann is described as a pioneer of modern painting of wild animals in Germany, whose pictures enable new perspectives in the artistic observation of various animal species. A special series shows animals in front of a wall-like background. Sometimes with a passe-partout-like view of the animal's original habitat. In these pictures, the artist sharpens the restriction of the living space of the creature, only a small section remains for the creature.

Claus Rabba. Lecturer at art schools, painter and author. 2010

Hasenland” and “Pressebericht” both comment on the place of nature in western society; nature shrinks alarmingly, we read endless reports about threatened species and habitat loss in the press, until ultimately, we could well find wild nature reduced to what he presents us with in “Museumskäfer”: the living animal reduced to its empty husk, captured in time on a pin.

Robin D'Arcy Shillcock. Independent curator of various museums, painter and author. 2010

The life that Bernd Pöppelmann's pictures radiate is not just a copy of what has been seen. Animals and landscapes relate to each other and in many of the depictions the reference to people appears in a particularly powerful way. Advertising for the coexistence of nature and people, advocating better protection of the environment and our fellow creatures in their biological diversity is a major concern of the artist.

Carl Albrecht von Treuenfels. Former President of the WWF and author. 2010