From 10 May, the Brandenburg State Museum of Modern Art (BLMK) in the Packhof Frankfurt (Oder) will be showing works by the Berlin painter Joachim Völkner (1949–1986 East Berlin) under the title "Im Wachen träumen" (Dreaming while Waking). This is the first time in almost four decades that the artist's work has been shown in a personal exhibition. Völkner belonged to the youngest generation of painters in the late GDR and developed an independent visual language characterised by social responsibility. As an autodidact, he developed a haunting figurative painting that deals with human reality in all its emotional tensions.
Six works from the BLMK collection enter into a dialogue with Völkner's works in the exhibition. These are art-historical points of reference as well as works by companions who – like Völkner himself – were mainly created in the 1980s. The resulting dialogue opens up new perspectives on the artistic and social issues of the time. The exhibition at the BLMK sees itself as a contribution to the rediscovery of Joachim Völkner's singular position within the art of the GDR.
With works by Joachim Völkner as well as Lutz Friedel, Rolf Händler, Willy Kriegel, Curt Querner, Hans Vent and Doris Ziegler
The Brandenburg State Museum of Modern Art cordially invites you to the exhibition "Joachim Völkner. Dreaming while Waking" at the BLMK Packhof Frankfurt (Oder).
When and where?
Opening of the exhibition: Sunday, 10 May 2026 | 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Admission is free.
Exhibition: 10 May to 5 July 2026
Packhof Frankfurt (Oder)
Carl-Philipp-Emanuel-Bach-Straße 11
15230 Frankfurt (Oder)