o.T. (Hartfaserbild 85-08)

Hardboard is one of the main materials Imi Knoebel uses in his work. From the very beginning of his studies at the art academy in Düsseldorf, the artist was inspired by the qualities of hardboard, especially its warm color, its physical properties, and last but not least its low price. Evidence of this can be seen in Knoebel’s earliest works, such as the legendary Raum 19 from 1968. During the 1980s, Knoebel also frequently used hardboard, both for his expressive, painterly works like o.T. (Hartfaserbild 85-08) as well as for the works that display a rational, geometric style, such as Z.T.7.