Heinz
Heiber

Sculptor of post-war modernism, whose formal language increasingly tended towards strong abstraction. He mainly created models for bronze casting. In the young Federal Republic, he embodied the person who worked on behalf of the church, who saw himself as one of the "innovators" of Christian motifs and was promoted as such by the institution. His oeuvre is often in dialogue with a historical environment, which leads to sharp contrasts. (Pablo de la Riestra)

Heinz Heiber

Carpenter's apprenticeship, then training as a stonemason under Karl Muggenhöfer in Fürth. Studied at the Munich Academy under Joseph Wackerle and Anton Hiller; graduated in 1952. From 1951 he worked at the St. Lorenz building workshop, and was also active for decades in the Association for Christian Art in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. His early works were more surface-based, but very soon he switched to fully sculptural works, mainly in bronze. One focus of his work was sacred art. He also created sculptures for banks and insurance companies and devoted himself to the interior design of large squares. His works can be found not only in Franconia, but also in numerous northern and western German cities, such as Bochum, Göttingen, Herford, Hildesheim, Cologne, Lübeck, Osnabrück and Remscheid. It is noteworthy that Heiber created his extensive oeuvre as a solo artist. His works combine high artistic ability with solid craftsmanship and are designed to make people think. His preference for long-distance travel did not influence the style of his work. His modest, unpretentious manner is also evident in the documentation of his work, which was published under the title "Work Reports". Volume I shows works from 1951 to 1977, Volume II works from 1978 to 1988.

Works: BEERBACH, Protestant parish church: pulpit, 1959. COBURG; HUK Association: bronze sculpture in the courtyard, 1968/69. ERLANGEN, Neustadt Church: people's altar, 1986/87. HILDESHEIM, St. Michael's Church: Easter candlestick. KULMBACH, secondary school: design of the schoolyard, 1972/73; LEINBURG, Protestant parish church: baptismal font and pulpit. LÜBECK, St. Mary's Church: communion table, 1983/84. NUREMBERG, courtyard Spitalgasse 10: lantern lighter fountain, 1954/55; –, Gustav Adolf Church: triumphal cross, 1954/55; –, St. Matthew's Church, gable wall: evangelist symbols, 1957/58; –, Lorenzkirche, liturgical or choir threshold altar: “Christ among us”, bronze sculpture on the altar, 1964/66; –, Peterskirche: Triumphant Christ, bronze sculpture, around 1965; –, Nikodemuskirche: bronze sculpture “crucify”, 1966/67; –, Galgenhofstraße 32, St. Peter’s parish hall: Peter’s catch of fish, 1968; –, Lorenzer Straße, entrance to the savings bank: granite sculpture “break open”, 1974; –, Theatergasse/corner of Johannesgasse: stake structure, 1975/76; –, Lorenzkirche: main portal, bronze, 1980/81; –, Leyher Straße 107, Stadtsparkasse: group of figures, bronze, 1981; –, Hans-Sachs-Platz 2, facade: Jesus, the acceptor, 1981/82; –, Kuglerstrasse 7-13, children's playground: Lümmelsteine, 1985; –, Theresienkrankenhaus: Theresienbrunnen, 1989; –, Sebalduskirche: tympanum, sandstone, 1988/89; –, –: portal, bronze, 1991/92; entrance hall of the Südklinikum: fountain "Tree of Life with glass dome", 1994. Nbg.-Röthenbach b. Schweinau, Nikodemuskirche: altar room sculpture, 1966. OSNABRÜCK, Melanchthonkirche: crucified, bronze, 1962/63. MuS: NUREMBERG, MStN: crucifix and candlestick. Lit.: Stolz, 1993; Masa, Freiskulpturen, pp. 70, 80, 114, 263, 371, 379; Church + Art, Issue 1/2003, Neuendettelsau; Braun/Carbon, Brunnen 2003, p. 96, 182. Exhibition: 1966/10; 1973/3; 1976/12 No. 76, 78, 79; 2004/6, p. 66. (quoted from the Nuremberg Artists' Lexicon, edited by Manfred H. Grieb)