PAUL VON RINGELHEIM

 "Reading Both Pages"

Paul Von Ringelheim was born during a turbulent time in history, in Vienna Austria on May 21, 1934. As a young boy he was exposed to the evils of the Nazi Party. Paul was a prisoner in the concentration camp Dachau. His father, Dr. Henri Ringelheim was a professor of opthalmology at the University of Vienna. Ironically, one of the guards at Dachau was a student of Dr. Ringelheim. This soldier arranged for Paul, his father and his mother, Rosita, to escape by the use of a garbage truck. They were set free after crossing the border with only the clothing on their back. They worked their way through Eastern Europe and immigrated to the United States.

Paul Von Ringelheimʼs family settled in Newark, N.J. before moving to Brooklyn. Paul attended Fairleigh Dickinson and enjoyed the arts from a very young age. He painted and sculpted art. Paul also was talented in dance. He dabbled with several screen plays and books as well.

In 1959 Paul had the honor of befriending the famous Pablo Picasso. He was fortunate to study, work, and live with this extraordinary man.

In 1964 and 1965 Paulʼs “World Peace Screen” 50ʼ long by 10ʼ high cast bronze was created as a non-wall. It was prominently displayed at the New York Worldʼs Fair. That very same sculpture can be seen on Fairleigh Dickinsonʼs Teaneck Campus.

Later in his life, Paul was commissioned by former President Gerald Ford for a sculpture at his estate in Palm Springs California.

Many of his works are a permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art and at the Getty Museum.

Paul Von Ringelheimʼs teachings meant that art is what you want it to be. Art can be personal and an individual experience.

Tragically, while on a working vacation in Venice, with his love Adri Steckling a/k/a Adri, he passed away May 29, 2001.

“Simplicity is knowing what not to leave out.”