Mission and history

The Roland Phleps Foundation for Concrete Art was established in 1997 by neurologist, psychiatrist and sculptor Roland Phleps and his wife Hanna.

Born in Sibiu (RO) in 1924, Roland Phleps began working with aluminium sheet metal at an advanced age, later also with stainless steel, to create geometric forms. He classified these works as Concrete Art. Until his death in 2020, he developed an extensive oeuvre that can be found in many places, especially in and around Freiburg.

When Hanna and Roland Phleps established the foundation named after Roland, they formulated the goal of ‘keeping the basic ideas of Concrete and Constructive Art alive.’ To achieve this, the foundation promotes representatives of this art form in accordance with its statutes and exhibits their work in the hall donated by Roland and Hanna Phleps. The purpose of the foundation is therefore realised in the form of exhibitions. However, there is no legal entitlement to funding.

The foundation also aims to preserve the work of artist Roland Phleps for posterity and to present it to the public. Once or twice a year, the foundation displays works from the founder's oeuvre in its shop window exhibitions.

The Roland Phleps Foundation for Concrete Art organises concerts in the foundation hall, continuing the tradition of its founders, who sought to provide a space for music in the context of Concrete Art. One focus is on supporting young artists, who bring the hall to life with their performances, especially at exhibition openings.

Guided tours for all ages and target groups can be booked. Please contact us for more information. Dr. Isabelle von Marschall.