Biography

1960

Congo gains its independence from Belgium and Unger subsequently returns to Luxembourg after travelling around Africa for some time.

1963

Unger and his family move to Paris, where he becomes interested in contemporary art and creates his first artworks.

1967

First solo exhibition at the Palais Dauphine, Paris.

1932

Arthur Unger is born and grows up in the commune of Hesperange, Luxembourg.

1968

Unger and his family move back to Luxembourg. First solo exhibition in Luxembourg at Galerie Beffa and first participation at the annual Salon du Cercle artistique de Luxembourg.

1956

After graduating from secondary school and serving his military time, Unger attends the École Coloniale (‘colonial school’) in Brussels in order to become an agent of the Congolese administration. As a territorial commander, he lives among local tribes (Lunda and Baluba) at the border of the provinces Katanga and Kasai.

1969

The artist happens to notice the reaction of electrolyte copper and fire thanks to a chemist friend. Unger subsequently helps a Luxembourg company in Wiltz to produce electrolyte copper foil, which he then uses as a medium for his art. He starts to develop his technique of painting with fire on copper sheets.

1970

1957

1958

Unger marries Astrid Ehringer.

Unger continues his duties in Jadotville (today Likasi).

1959 His daughter Danielle is born.

1971

Encounter with the influential art critic Michel Tapié at Galerie Stadler, Paris. Their lasting professional relationship and friendship largely shapes Unger’s successful international artistic career. Tapié shows Unger’s work in numerous exhibitions and publishes a range of texts, not least a monograph in 1980.

Unger receives the Grand Duke Adolphe Prize in Luxembourg.

1975-

1977

Unger is one of the six artists of Groupe V (v stands for

1977 voisinages or neighbourhoods). The other artists were Victor Laks (1924-2011), James Pichette (1920-1996), Wanda Davanzo (1919-2017), Roberto Altmann (*1942) and Thibaud Campa.

Unger is invited to California to the studios of artists which the Parisian art world referred to as the School of the Pacific.

Around 1979

Encounter with art historian and curator Ante Glibota, through their mutual acquaintance Tapié. Glibota organises several shows with Unger’s work and publishes

1982

1983-

1988 two monographic publications in 1989 and 2001.

Unger’s wife passes away.

Frequent travels to Africa, including Senegal, Mali and Ivory Coast.

20042008

2017

Trips to China.

The artist receives the Phoenix Art Award in Fenghuang, China.