From 1950 to 1955, devoted the young Ursula Dethleffs first time - after many drawings, collages, etc. - her three-dimensional sculpture. Two important ceramics from these five years we show here - they were exhibited in museums and not for sale:
The figurative girl group "sauna" VMS 260018 from 1952
The abstract sculpture "nail tree" VMS number. 260016 from 1954
After 1955, emerged years no new sculptures. Only when the artist in 1980, so 25 years later, the object-art turned, sculptures and reliefs were their central expression form.
One of these first sculpture was the "Warrior" - VMS number. 262050. He created in 1981 as part of the peace movement in Germany. Youth and artists at that time protesting against nuclear medium-range missiles in Germany, against the arms race.
In the "Warriors" are the materials consumed for the outdated military thinking is true for the old helmet, for the remains of the back pack as well as the only ridiculous, red smeared plate. The torso of the "warrior" itself is stiff and rattle-arid. Could humanity in a nuclear war by "warriors" rescued? No - neither through this "warrior" even by soldiers. Disarmament was the new hope.
Until her death worked Ursula Dethleffs - unlike before - only with old kitchen furniture of farmers, with unusable saws, etc. from the remains of fellow artisans. Goods at the beginning of the intermediate-range nuclear missiles, the point, then changed the artist soon their concept. The object-art was no longer a means for the attack against something, but a means for the defense of Ursula Dethleffs. For example, the defense of our earth, our resources of reason. With the object of art could show that of old wonderfully new to be created. Just as Ursula Dethleffs and other artists with creativity and perseverance, with intelligence and humor an infinite variety of new art works created:
some of these works can be seen here.
1952 was one of her first sculptures created "sauna". Later - 1981 1st warriors emerged. At the end of their work the "Little Harlequin" is - with his big head and the questioning eyes - VMS number. 262,236th from 1992. It is reminiscent of the famous clown Grock Wettach from Switzerland. Ursula's father, Arist Dethleffs had constructed for Grock a special caravan at its factory in Isny. If Mrs, Grock-Wettach has had new desires, Grock came to visit to make change. He laughed then and said: "Qu'est-ce que ma femme veut, Dieu veut"
Bernd Riedle May 2016