“Bull Shit”. That’s the name of the very first picture that Werner Härtl painted with cow dung. The illustrator, draftsman and painter from Reichersbeuern had previously dipped a canister into the odel pit – and then his brush into its contents. The comic-like image now shows “a lot of things that I can’t do anything with,” explains Härtl. Santa Claus, for example, an SUV or the logos of digital giants like Facebook and Co. Bullshit, at least in Härtl’s eyes. But the archaic material, enriched with grains of sand, insects and other particles, appealed to the artist in its recalcitrance. “Cow dung simply tells stories,” says Härtl. And it’s exciting to experiment with. So he kept making art out of shit.
The idea actually came up in the stable
The idea for his “cow manure art” actually came to Werner Härtl while he was working in the barn, because he had been helping a farmer for years in order – given his unprofitable passion – to feed the family. “But that’s the nicest part-time job in the world,” says the 43-year-old. “You save yourself the gym and learn where the food comes from and how much work goes into it.” In addition, the physical activity clears the head for creative ideas – such as trying cow dung instead of paint. “I just saw in the barn how well the manure sticks to all kinds of surfaces and how well it covers.” This is how Härtl’s “Kuhnst” was born.
Werner Härtl has gained a lot of experience as a helper on a farm. This image, titled “Surprised by the Snow,” shows a hasty cattle drive.
(Photo: organizer)
Compared to the “Bullshit” of 2012, however, some of Härtl’s Odel pictures have changed in the meantime. First of all, he only works with pure material, because that gives the pictures a very special character. With a canister with a funnel in it, the 43-year-old catches the dung directly behind his producers. “After milking, the ladies relax and then when they cock their tails, that’s it.” So the artist has now become a real cow whisperer.
With a fine line, Härtl creates detailed tableaus full of depth
But the style and motifs have also changed: Werner Härtl no longer creates his Odel pictures in a comic-like manner, but in a classic manner. The fact that he – although self-taught – has mastered his craft can be seen in every sheet. With a fine line, he creates detailed tableaus full of depth. The basic material is still cow dung, sometimes pure, sometimes diluted with water. “Although it takes a little practice to get the rough stuff into the desired position.” But the great thing about the material is its versatility, says Härtl: from translucent to impasto, the boundaries are, well, fluid. The dung is applied to paper, canvas or wood, depending on your preference. And sometimes combined with other painting materials for refinement, for example with gold leaf for special accents or lime. “Pigments can also be mixed in and shine in unexpected colors,” enthuses the artist.
The artist has refined the beauty of this old courtyard with gold leaf.
(Photo: organizer)
In addition, Härtl no longer paints things that he rejects, quite the opposite. It is the rural world that the 43-year-old portrays, “but not the industrial, but the traditional,” he emphasizes. Härtl’s material is therefore close to his subject. Old farmsteads, machines and working methods, village views, animals, mountain massifs. A farmer’s wife milking, a cattle drive in the snow, a trip on the Isar from yesteryear. He often uses historical photographs as a template. The sepia tone of the dung also creates a welcome nostalgic effect.
Härtl wants to encourage people to think about our modern way of life
“I paint representationally, and it’s supposed to be decorative,” says Härtl, “but I also have a message.” His “Kuhnst” definitely wants to make you think about our modern way of life. About nutrition, consumption and tourism as a sell-out of landscape, for example. Or about dealing with nature and resources. “Why do I need a leaf blower? A good old rake will do!” With a whole network of friendly farmers, he is working to draw more attention to these agricultural issues.
“Today, the animals to which we owe our civilization have often had to give up their status as living beings in favor of cold economy,” says Härtl. That’s why he dedicates a small series of holy pictures to them, as a sort of homage to a partnership that goes back thousands of years. Here in the picture: the “St. Franziska”.
(Photo: organizer)
His style was “already too established” for an art degree
Härtl says about his creative career that it became apparent early on. He earned his first money with logos for medium-sized companies during his time at the Icking high school and was “allowed to learn from the best” in the Comicstrich association. However, he was denied a degree in the arts, “my style was already too established, they said. So all I had to do was carry on and find myself under my own direction, try it out and reinvent it. There is hardly an art form that I don’t already know more about or exercised less intensively”. As an illustrator, Härtl works for customers in the fields of media, confectionery, gastronomy, teaching aids, politics, pharmaceuticals and sports. In the meantime, however, his work as a painter is becoming more and more important, says Härtl – of course, cow dung on canvas, that creates media presence. Most recently, the 43-year-old made an appearance on the BR show “Wir in Bayern”.
Werner Härtl from Reichersbeuern doing his favorite pastime, painting with dung.
(Photo: Organizer)
However: the idea of painting with dung is not new
You have to know: Even if Härtl is “the first concretely representational artist who paints with crap” – the idea is not new, even in Europe. “Precisely because it sticks so stubbornly, fresh cow dung mixed with milk of lime was actually very popular in the past,” explains the 43-year-old. “As an opaque coat for interiors, even for kitchens.” Which of course raises a question that Härtl often has to answer: Does his art stink? But he can reassure all potential viewers. “Once the pictures are dry, they don’t smell anymore.” He even has one hanging in his bedroom. And even during the painting process, the olfactory annoyance is minimal. “In any case, my family is very tolerant, I can work in our house without any problems.”
This “Maidalm” for example can be seen in the Glonner Marktblick.
(Photo: organizer)
Incidentally, Werner Härtl came up with something special for his exhibition in the Glonner Marktblick: Under the title “Peakshow” he only shows peaks, i.e. real as well as fictional mountain ranges. “Mountains are a central motif in my life, whether as a metaphor, as a myth or as a natural phenomenon,” he says. Although they are often degraded to mere leisure objects, to a hollow facade, for him they still mark “the cornerstones of the patch of earth that I call my home”. And in order to fuel this discussion a little more, Härtl gave his mountain pictures an ambiguity, a second reading, so to speak. The artist doesn’t want to reveal what that is just yet. Only so much: “The title gives a hint!”
Härtl has also dedicated a small series to the classic work machines. Here is a milestone in German four-wheel drive tractors: the MAN field diesel.
(Photo: organizer)
The fact that the painter from Reichersbeuern is exhibiting in Glonn is thanks to coincidence and Corona. Because of the pandemic, an exhibition in a tavern in Rottach-Egern stayed on much longer than planned, so that Markus Steinberger from Marktblick met the artist and his works during a visit there – and was immediately enthusiastic. This exhibition will be “an absolute highlight and very exciting”, announces the Glonner landlord, something like this “has never been seen in the area before”. Werner Härtl is also bringing three musical friends with him to the vernissage on Wednesday, March 2nd: the trio Reiwas will enrich the evening at Marktblick with accordion, guitar, double bass and singing. The program includes original compositions and cover versions of, for example, the Comedian Harmonists, STS, Seiler & SpearElvis or the beatles.
“Peakshow”: Exhibition by Werner Härtl with “cow manure art” in the Glonner market view. Vernissage with live music by “Reiwas” on Wednesday, March 2, at 7 p.m. Reservations at (08093) 90 31 66.