The Master of Stacks Alexander Menden visits Tony Cragg in his studio

Two exhibitions are currently showing sculptures by Tony Cragg: in Darmstadt, the Skulpturengarten Spanischer Turm is presenting a number of works until 26 October 2025. In Heidelberg, five more sculptures can be viewed from this weekend onwards.

On a tour of Tony Cragg's spacious studio in a former barracks in Wuppertal, the artist moves from one sculpture to the next. “Feel free to lift it” he tells the visitor. Despite its size, the work appears delicate, a network of branching struts resting on slender legs. As expected, the attempt to lift it fails. “This is stainless steel,” says Cragg. “You can put it in the ocean - nothing will rust.” Of course, Cragg has to pay attention to corrosion resistance when selecting materials for works that are to be placed outdoors. However, they have a high recognition value regardless of whether they are made of steel, bronze or fiberglass and whether they are displayed indoors or outdoors. And they are shown in many places. After all, Tony Cragg, born in Liverpool in 1949, is one of Germany's most productive and ubiquitous sculptors.