Enno Lehmann

Bildhauer Maler Farbe

Paint maker

©Sinem Colak and Jonas Stähle

©Ingo Maurer GmbH

Emanuele Zamponi ©Michelangelo Foundation

Finding solutions in paint and colour

Enno developed the paint for Café Roma in Munich
His interest in science helps him understand materials
He often worked with the late Munich designer Ingo Maurer

After graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, in 1992 Enno Lehmann became a freelance artist, exhibiting his works throughout Germany. A few years later he set up his own workshop to develop special paints and colour materials for designers, architects and artists. “For years I’d had the idea to mix and produce special paints but then in 1998 designer Ingo Maurer asked me to develop a special colour that he needed for one of his projects, and that’s how it became a full-time profession.” He also takes great pride in teaching painting techniques at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart, which gave him the award Landeslehrpreis Baden-Württemberg in 2012.

Interview

©Sinem Colak and Jonas Stähle

©Sinem Colak and Jonas Stähle

What inspired you to specialise in such a specific field?: Studying fine arts, sculpture and painting helped me understand the meaning of form and colour, bringing me in contact with painting techniques and materials. Then, selling raw materials for artists in a specialised shop gave me the opportunity to expand my knowledge of paint.
When and how did you actually start?: In 1998 Ingo Maurer wanted to use a bright red colour on the walls of Café Roma in the Maximilianstraße in Munich. After I mastered this challenge, our collaboration developed further, because he had more ideas regarding colour and it became my job to find solutions.
How would you define what you do?: With my own art I aim to contribute to points of views and experiences. While in my work as an artisan I try to create things that will allow people to experience beauty not only as decoration, and to work out solutions to help them express themselves.
Do you train apprentices?: Not at the moment, but I did between 2005 to 2007, when I worked with my friend Winfried Kaftan, who now has his own workshop in Munich called Forum Farbe. We still collaborate to make products.

Enno Lehmann is a master artisan: he began his career in 1995 and he started teaching in 2001