Nando Kallweit is a German sculptor renowned for his use of bronze and oak in creating intricate and finely detailed sculptures. When he was young, he was inspired by a bust of Nefertiti that he saw in the Egyptian Museum of Berlin. With the fall of the Berlin Wall, he was able to travel to Egypt and see his inspiration in person.
His work is created using the “lost wax process,” wherein a mold is made and the bronze is poured into the mold. The mold is shattered to reveal the final cast—a sculpture—rendering each artwork distinctive. This process allows the artist to create intricate and finely detailed sculptures. Kallweit works both on large and small scale and also creates fully immersive installations.
Kallweit is inspired by seemingly disparate cultures. The strength of ancient Egyptian sculptures, the dynamic forms of the modern Cubist movement, and an observation of contemporary life are all seen in aspects of his aquiline figures. Combined with a considerate approach, Kallweit renders archaic materials, such as blackened oak and bronze, with a palpable sensitivity.
Kallweit’s work has been exhibited and collected across Europe and the United States, and he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the field of sculpture.
