William Wauer

The son of a Lutheran minister, Wauer studied at Art Academies in Dresden, Berlin, and Munich, before going to Rome in 1893. He was an art critic and and editor in Dresden, moved to Berlin where he edited the magazine, "Quickboorn." He worked in other publishing ventures in Dresden, then returned to Berlin in 1905, where he began directing plays for Max Reinhardt, later directing at the Hebbel Theater and the Kleines Theater. In 1911 he began directing and writing films through his own company. In 1912 his art was exhibited in the famous "Sturm" exhhibition of Herwarth Walden in Berlin, which introduced numerous Expressionist artists to the scene. Working with Walden, he published numerous essays in "Der Sturm," and participate as a leader of the group, becoming in 1924 the chairman of the International Association of Expressionists, Cubists, Futurists, and Konstructivists, as well as the head of the art group "Die Abstrakten." He also gave numerous radio lectures on art between 1928 and 1933. In the 1920s he also published numerous books on art, but was blacklisted after the Nazis took power in 1933. After World War II he continued his art again, as well as his teaching activities, becoming a member of the Board of the Association of Fine Artists (Verband der bildenden Künstler), and of the Verband der Volkshochschuldozenten (Association of Community College Lecturers). Major exhibitions of his work were organized for his 80th, 85th, 90th, and 95th birthdays.