Longing for Distant Shores—The Solingen Artists’ Colony

Artists: Bettina Heinen-Ayech (1937–2020), Erwin Bowien (1899–1972), Amud Uwe Millies (1932–2008).

Shortly after the Second World War, an Artists’ Colony was founded in Solingen that revived the old ideal of landscape painting. Contrary to the contemporary trend towards abstraction, the artists painted representatively and saw themselves in the tradition of classical plein air painting and the great Artists’ Colonies of the turn of the century. They soon attracted attention and acclaim for their idiosyncratic work—creating unconventional portraits, landscapes and cityscapes. The group’s most important artist, Bettina Heinen-Ayech, in particular, invented a completely new style of painting. They always painted on location in order to capture what they saw and to capture the light and atmosphere in its entirety.

For almost two decades, the artists travelled together throughout Europe—from Sylt to Norway, from Switzerland to Paris and North Africa—before scattering in all directions. Their starting point and recurring creative centre was the “Black House” in Solingen, an established meeting place for artists and intellectuals since the 1920s.

The Solingen Artists’ Colony and Bettina Heinen-Ayech in particular have received numerous awards in recent years. As a result, their work and creativity are experiencing a new renaissance and are once again at the centre of the art world. In 2023, the Solingen Artists’ Colony ”Black House” became a partner member of the “European Federation of Artists’ Colonies” (euroart). This year also saw another important recognition of the European dimension. It has been included in the Council of Europe’s Impressionism Routes ©. In 2024, Bettina Heinen-Ayech was inducted into the exclusive circle of the most important historical women in North Rhine-Westphalia by the NRW Women’s Council. Bettina Heinen-Ayech was chosen as a great artist, as the most important protagonist of the Solingen Artists’ Colony and for her commitment as an ambassador for international understanding.

Accompany the three most important painters of the Solingen Artists’ Colony, Bettina Heinen-Ayech (1937–2020), Erwin Bowien (1899–1972) and Amud Uwe Millies (1932–2008), on their travels!

Events
Travelling the world: The Solingen Artists’ Colony: October 31, 2024–April 27, 2025.
Exhibition in the Picture Gallery Dachau

Bettina Heinen-Ayech—From Solingen to the Orient: January 25–May 11
kunstverein-coburg.de

Erwin Bowien—Nostalgia for Egmond: April 26–2
Egmond Museum, museumvanegmond.nl

Between the Worlds – Bettina Heinen-Ayech: July 6–September 7
Städtische Galerie Schwalenberg, kulturagentur-online.de