Barry Krammes

BARRY KRAMMES

 Barry Krammes is an assemblage artist who frequents flea markets, dumpsters and estate sales in search of just the right materials for his art. He carefully transforms and integrates these objects into finished pieces. He has been using miniatures to create diorama-like sculptures reminiscent of theatre sets for the past 20 years. His work has been influenced by the Southern California assemblage movement of the 1960s, especially Ed Kienholz, who was known for his social commentary. He draws from many sources: art throughout history, religion, music, film, fashion, photography, literature and pop culture. His curious amalgamations mash-up consumer kitsch with fine antiques in an attempt to foster a vibrant aesthetic. 

His work has been featured in both solo and group exhibitions, regionally and nationally, and can be found in private collections throughout the United States and Canada. 

 Professor Emeritus in the Department of Visual Art at Biola University in La Mirada, CA, Krammes taught for 35 years. In addition to his role as a faculty member, Krammes served as Chair of the Department of Art, Director of the Green Art Gallery, and Program Coordinator for the Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts (CCCA). During his tenure at Biola, Krammes designed a wide variety of integrated arts events for the university including the 2011-2012 “Year of the Arts,” a series of over 80 public arts events. For two decades he organized an all-university “Arts Emphasis Week” which eventually became the annual “Biola Arts Symposium” series. Krammes retired from Biola in May 2018.

 Krammes received his B.F.A. in printmaking and drawing from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, in 1973, and his M.F.A. in two-dimensional studies from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1983. In 2019, Barry and his wife Beth, moved to Houston, TX, to be near family.