"Ingo R expresses a sense of restless, unquiet nature"
In the vibrant cultural landscape of Dresden, a posthumous exhibition is set to honour the life and work of Ingo R, a female artist who made the city her home for the past 24 years. The exhibition, scheduled for early August 2025 at the HechtViertel e.V., promises to be a comprehensive retrospective of Ingo R's art, featuring a selection of her works from her estate, her personal diaries, an audio presentation, and a live music performance.
Born into a family of artists, Ingo R's creative journey began at birth. She was versatile, practising photography, sculpture, and painting throughout her life. Her work is characterised by a unique blend of faces, ghosts, and demons, reflecting her profound and often introspective artistic vision.
Ingo R's journey in Dresden began unconventionally, as she decided to stop on the highway entrance ramp and make the city her home. Over the years, she formed associations with local sculptors on Pfotenhauer Street and enriched the Hecht quarter with her artistic presence. However, the living conditions in the areas she inhabited were far from ideal, with crumbling roofs a common sight.
Ingo R's dedication to her art was unwavering. When inspired, she would stand at her easel for ten hours without a break. Her work extended beyond the realm of traditional art, as she spent three decades working in art therapy, primarily in hospices, detox centers, and with teenagers. Ingo R approached her work with these vulnerable groups with a straightforward manner and her own set of rules.
One of Ingo R's most memorable works is an angel statue on a lemon press in an undisclosed location, which she often reminisced about. Another significant exhibition of her works was held at the Kunstfund Agency in the Kunsthofpassage from December 2016 to the end of January 2017.
Legendary vernissages took place in the working gallery founded by Ingo R in the backyard of Fichtenstraße. These events were marked by the presence of good jazz musicians, adding a rhythmic dimension to the artistic celebrations.
Ingo R's nomadic spirit took her through various cities around the world, including Zurich, Philadelphia, and Paris. Yet, Dresden remained her constant home, a city she loved and cherished.
The upcoming exhibition in August 2025 will provide an opportunity for the public to reconnect with Ingo R's work and her vision. All artworks on display will be available for purchase, with donations being the only form of payment. The exhibition will be held on August 2, 2025, from 15:00 to 21:00, and August 3, 2025, from 15:00 to 18:00.
Ingo R's passing in December 2022 was a loss felt deeply within the Dresden art community. However, her legacy lives on, and her work continues to inspire and captivate audiences. The exhibition in August 2025 promises to be a fitting tribute to an artist whose work and spirit will remain an integral part of Dresden's cultural scene.
Ingo R's social-media presence, though sparse, offered glimpses into her artistic journeys around the world, often accompanied by photographs at various exhibitions and workshops. Her work, pouring into the realms of entertainment and therapy, was admired for its blend of the macabre and the ethereal.
