Ernst Gramatzki

Ernst Gramatzki was a world renowned artist, sculptor, potter, painter and poet. Some of his work is in the Smithsonian Institute in D.C. as well as in art galleries in both the U.S and Europe. Ernst was born in Koenigsverg, Germany, in the Russian sector near the Baltic Sea. The area is also referred to as Kaliningrad and is the birthplace of philosopher Emanuel Kant. His interest in art is the result of two Hungarian art students taken in as boarders by his family following the Hungarian revolution. In 1961 Ernst immigrated to the United States, taking a position with the Milwaukee Public Museum. He lived in Rochester for nearly 30 years. Each room of his home was dedicated to a different art form. A room at the top of the stairs is filled with oil paints and multi-paneled works that are still in progress. In the basement, wet clay sits ready to be molded by inspired hands. Ernst did work for museums. Ernst said his inspiration can come from anything around him. He found a use for a dried-up grapefruit by using it as a mold for a clay stamp. Nothing, including an old corn cob, is overlooked as an artistic tool. "I dream lots of things. It's like turning on the TV as soon as I hit the sack." Most of his pottery takes the form of covered jars, each of which has its own number and entry in a journal that includes a sketch and to whom the piece were sold. The covers of the jars have small bronze sculptures for handles.