Through his art, Karel Appel seeks to capture "the secret movement of existence with the maximum of spontaneity, flexibility, and transparency." His work - from small collages to large paintings to monumental sculptures - is full of explosive color and joyful energy, reflecting his fascination with folk art and found objects and his strong sense of play.
This lavishly illustrated volume covers Appel's childhood, his work as a student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Amsterdam (here presented for the first time), his revolutionary works from his time with the COBRA group (which he helped found), and his informal paintings during the "Art Autre" years.
As an art critic and the former French editor of Cobra, the group's magazine, author Michel Ragon actively participated in the artistic life of the period. Ragon traces the artist's early life from his native Amsterdam to his travels through Europe, focusing on the period of international renown that followed the initial incomprehension of Appel's work during the first few years of his career.
Complete with documentary references, including excerpts from manifestos, art reviews, and artists' letters, as well as some of Appel's poetry, this volume presents a comprehensive account of the artist's life during the war and postwar years. The various incidents and encounters, confrontations and friendships, failures and triumphs, reveal Appel's exuberant appeal and the way his art has evolved over the years.