ECKART BARTNIK
ABOUT
EB works as a cell and molecular biologist in basic research for drug development. For him, photography was initially a scientific tool, which gradually developed into an essential means of artistic expression for him.
Numerous workshops with renowned photographers shaped his visual language.
Since the 1980s, his work has been shown internationally in group and solo exhibitions and published in daily newspapers such as the FAZ, magazines and trade journals (e.g. Stern, Wings) and online (including Spiegel-Online, The Guardian).
Eckart Bartnik lives in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Eckart Bartnik works as a cell and molecular biologist in pharmaceuticals research. For him, photography was initially a scientific tool that increasingly developed into an essential means of artistic expression.
Numerous workshops with renowned photographers shaped his visual language.
Since the 1980s, his work has been shown internationally in group and solo exhibitions and published in daily newspapers such as the FAZ, magazines and trade journals (e.g. Stern, Wings) as well as online (including Spiegel-Online, The Guardian).
Eckart Bartnik lives in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Photography
Much that goes on unnoticed can be sensed visually if one only looks attentively. Similar to how cell structures give clues to underlying molecular mechanisms, mindful observation of everyday surroundings points to underlying realities. Eckart Bartnik transferred his longing to analyze visually from microscopy to photography.
He is interested in landscapes and places charged with memories, ruptures, and myths, and in abstract nature studies with which he traces the creative power of nature. The escalating conflict between humans and nature plays an increasingly important thematic role for him.
His realistic, documentary view increasingly turns to an emotional interpretation of what he sees. As a corresponding stylistic device, he therefore uses powerful colors and dynamic forms. Existing or additional light serves him as a design tool to draw attention to essential elements of the picture.
"To pay attention is to live, and to live is to pay attention; and, bear in mind most of all, that your spiritual nature is but a higher faculty of seeing and listening- -a finer, nobler way of paying attention."
Louis Sullivan, architect, cited by Stephen Shote in Modern Instances
Publications
2023
Featured in article "Crisis? What crisis?" by Keith Wilson in Amateur Photographer UK (February 7)
2022
Contribution to "The Evidence Project" by Britta Jaschinsky and Keith Wilson - see link in NEWS
2022
1730Sat1live: Fotos aus dem Ahrtal auf den Wiesbadener Fototagen (August 24) - see link in NEWS
2022
Hessenschau: Wiesbadener Fototage zeigen Bildgewalt der Verwüstung (August 11) - see link in NEWS
2022
FAZ: "Zeugnisse einer Katastrophe" (Testimonies of a catastrophe) (July 14) - see link in NEWS
2022
Kwerfeldein: "Fotografisches Wachstum in Vielfalt" (April 19) PDF with english translation - see link in NEWS
2021
Artdoc Magazine: Special Inspiration Page: "FLOOD" (Oct. 18)
2021
LifeForceMagazine: "Flood Remains" (Autumn 2021 issue)
2019
FAZ: "Hütet euch vor der Anderswelt" (Beware of the otherworld) - "Alfar Rokk" (March 7) - see link in NEWS
2019
Aint-Bad: What We’ve Found: "Spirituality in Suburbia" (Sept. 2)
2018
Wings magazin: "Gummiglück" (Jan.-Feb.)
2017
The Guardian online: "Gumball-obsession - Balls of fun!" (Sept. 19) - see link in NEWS
2017
Spiegel online: "Kaugummiautomaten: Indikator für vernachlässigte Orte" (Sept. 21) - see link in NEWS
2017
GUP Magazine online: "Disenchantment" (Nov. 11)
2014
Lichtblick School, Cologne: Theatre of Real Life #6: "Verzahnung"
2013
FAZ: Ein konkurrenzloses Archiv des Lebens - Naturhistorische Sammlung des Museums Wiesbaden (Sept. 4)
2013
Lichtblick School, Cologne #5: "WesterWorld"
Awards - Achievements
2022
Athens Photo Festival: "Flood-Sculptures" shortlisted
2022
Portfolio Walk, Deutsche Fotografische Akademie: "Flood-Sculptures"
2022
Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival, Georgia: "Flood-Sculptures" shortlisted
2021
Appointment to the German Photographic Society (DGPh)
2020
Finalist Portfolio Walk, Deutsche Fotografische Akademie: "Am Fluss"
2019
Minimalist Photography Award: Landscape Photographer of The Year, 1st place winner with "Elven Rocks"
2013
Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival, Georgia: "WesterWorld" shortlisted
2012
Deutsche Fotografische Akademie, Deichtorhallen Hamburg: Portfolio-Walk; "WesterWorld"
1980
British Council: Photo Award 1st place
Group exhibitions
2022
Wiesbadener Fototage "Turbulent Times": "Flut" - 13.08.-28.08.2022
2022
Helsinki Photo Festival "Believe": "Relicts" - 07.07-2.10.2022
2022
The Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, USA, online exhibition of "FLOOD".
2019
Galerie Ka:Ost, Frankfurt: Simple Nature: "Im Tal"
2018
Galerie Ka:Ost, Frankfurt: Leidenschaft: "Disenchantment"
2018
Fotografie Forum Frankfurt: FFF Academy: "Am Fluss"
2018
Galerie Ka:Ost, Frankfurt: Luminale: "Who am I really?"
2017
Wiesbadener Fototage "Insight": "Ambivalence - Topography of faith"
2015
Wiesbadener Fototage "Heimat X": "WesterWorld – Heimat aber wie?"
2014
Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival, Georgia: "WesterWorld"
2011
Galerie Fotoristisch. Wiesbaden: "Iceland"
1988
Rockefeller University, New York: "City Views"
Solo exhibitions
2021
13.11.21-29.01.2022: Galerie Alles Mögliche, Berlin: "FLUT - Von der Gewalt der Gewässer"
2020
art@hub of Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK), Darmstadt: "Divergenz"
2016
Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt: "Research – face to face"
2014
Ortho-Zentrum, Karlsruhe: "Grenzflächen"
1982
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Bonn: Audiovisual: "Australia and New Zealand"
Collections
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt - Sanofi Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt - Visiopharm, Horsholm, Denmark