Artist Talk: Wolfgang Tillmans

In anticipation of Wolfgang Tillmans: To look without fear, opening November 11, join us for a lecture by the artist.

This new exhibition is the most comprehensive survey of the influential artist’s work to date, charting the development of his practice from the 1980s through the present, across every genre of photography imaginable. Featuring photographs arranged in constellations that extend from floor to ceiling, magazine pages taped to the wall, video work, and more, the presentation embraces the concept of visual democracy, where, as Tillmans puts it, “If one thing matters, everything matters.”

About the Artist

Since the early 1990s, Wolfgang Tillmans (b. 1968, Remscheid, Germany) has lived and worked in London, New York, Berlin, Cologne, and Fire Island. In a career spanning almost four decades, he has consistently redefined the medium of photography through a seamless integration of genres, subjects, techniques, and exhibition strategies. In addition to his expansive photographic work, his practice extends to include musical recording and songwriting, as well as significant engagements with architecture and design. His foundation, Between Bridges, supports the advancement of democracy, international understanding, the arts, and LGBTQ+ rights; previously, Between Bridges was a nonprofit exhibition space in London (2007–11) and Berlin (2014–19) directed by Tillmans.

Accessibility Information

Accessible seating is available at this event. Accessibility accommodations such as American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and assisted listening devices are available upon request 10 business days in advance. Please email publicengagement@sfmoma.org, and we will do our best to fulfill your request.
 

Wolfgang Tillmans: To look without fear is organized by The Museum of Modern Art.

The exhibition is organized by Roxana Marcoci, The David Dechman Senior Curator and Acting Chief Curator, Department of Photography, with Caitlin Ryan, Curatorial Assistant, and Phil Taylor, former Curatorial Assistant, Department of Photography, The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Major support for Wolfgang Tillmans: To look without fear at SFMOMA is provided by the Pritzker Exhibition Fund in Photography and Helen and Charles Schwab.

Generous support is provided by Katie Hall and Tom Knutsen, Nion McEvoy and Leslie Berriman, and Jessica Moment.

Meaningful support is provided by Alka and Ravin Agrawal, The Black Dog Private Foundation, Sabrina Buell and Yves Behar, Sakurako and William Fisher, Kate and Wes Mitchell, and The Sheri and Paul Siegel Exhibition Fund.

Community support is provided by the James C. Hormel and Michael P. Nguyen Endowment Fund.

Header image: Wolfgang Tillmans, Icestorm, 2001; courtesy the artist, David Zwirner, New York / Hong Kong, Galerie Buchholz, Berlin / Cologne, Maureen Paley, London

Support for Public Programs and Artist Talks at SFMOMA is provided by the Phyllis C. Wattis Distinguished Lecture Series.