Bernard Aubertin

Born in 1934 in Fontenay-aux-Roses, France. Since a visit of Yves Klein’s artist studio in 1957, Bernard Aubertin was inspired to experiment in the field of monochromy and covered nail paintings with characteristically bright red surfaces, creating monochrome compositions. During the 1960’s, Aubertin had introduced fire into his artistic repertoire, an element that effectively becomes the physical manifestation of his chosen color. Many of his works consist of abstract compositions using matches and creating variations caused by the spontaneous nature of flame.
By 1962, Aubertin was recognized as a member of the German ZERO movement. He had regular exhibitions and correspondence with ZERO artists such as Heinz Mack, Otto Piene and Piero Manzoni. Aubertin shared a similar rejection of art as language and instead aimed to create works that embody simplicity and austerity.
Since the 1960s, Aubertin’s artworks have been widely exhibited throughout the world, including shows at the Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam), the Palais de Tokyo (Paris) and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (New York). Aubertin’s works are included, among others, in the permanent collections of Centre National de l’Art Contemporain (Paris), Kunsthaus Graz and Museum Kunstpalast Dusseldorf. He passed away in Reutlingen, Germany in 2015.