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Dieter Roth

1930–1998

Small Landscape 1969
© Estate of Dieter Roth
License this image
In Tate St Ives

Modern Art and St Ives

In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Rooms

46 artworks by Dieter Roth
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Biography

Dieter Roth (April 21, 1930 – June 5, 1998) was a Swiss artist who gained recognition for his diverse body of work, which included artist's books, editioned prints, sculpture, and creations from found materials, including rotting foodstuffs. He was also known as Dieter Rot and Diter Rot.

Born in Hannover, he spent his early years in Germany and Switzerland, developing an interest in art and poetry while living with a family of artists in Zürich during World War II. Roth's artistic journey was marked by collaborations and experimentation. He co-founded the magazine "Spirale" and associated with the Fluxus movement, all the while maintaining his distinct artistic identity. Notably, his artist's books challenged traditional formats, allowing readers to interact with and rearrange pages. His work often involved incorporating found materials like newspapers and magazines.

Throughout his career, Roth pushed artistic boundaries by creating biodegradable artworks that evolved over time due to natural decay. His pieces, like "Insel," combined foodstuffs with various materials, showcasing his unique perspective on transformation and impermanence. He died in 1998.

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Artworks

Left Right
  • When G Dug into the Toys he Struck Terrible Shit

    Dieter Roth
    1966–9
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  • Calm Life

    Dieter Roth
    1970
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  • Cologne

    Dieter Roth
    1970
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  • Berlin 1

    Dieter Roth
    1970
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  • Berlin 2

    Dieter Roth
    1970
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  • Düsseldorf

    Dieter Roth
    1970
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  • Heidelberg

    Dieter Roth
    1970
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  • Small Theatre

    Dieter Roth
    1970
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See all 71

Artist as subject

Left Right
  • Self-Portrait as Pile of Dog Dirt

    Dieter Roth
    1973
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  • Self-Portrait as Jealous Tiger

    Dieter Roth
    1973
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  • Self-Portrait as Jealous Tiger

    Dieter Roth
    1973
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  • [no title]

    Dieter Roth
    1971
  • [no title]

    Dieter Roth
    1971
  • [no title]

    Dieter Roth
    1971
  • [no title]

    Dieter Roth
    1971
  • Self-Portrait as a Flower Pot

    Dieter Roth
    1971
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  • Double Self-Portrait of the Artist

    Dieter Roth
    1972
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  • Self-Portrait as a Drowning Man

    Dieter Roth
    1974
  • Self-Portrait at a Table

    Dieter Roth
    1973–6
  • Harmonica Curse

    Dieter Roth
    1981

Film and audio

  • Playlist

    MixTate: Jan St Werner on Dieter Roth

Artwork
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