CV/Bio
Education
1975 -1977, Master degree study, Glassmaker Guild of Cologne, Germany
Became a Master of the Cologne Guild in October 1977
1975 - 1977, Glass Technology and design, Glass College Rheinbach Germany,
“Dual” education program in art and glass technology.
1970 - 1975 Five Years’ mandatory practice, after apprenticeship and prior to applying for Master’s Degrees, with the Firm of Paul Bong, Cologne, Germany, founded in 1901.
1967 -1970, 3 Year Apprenticeship at the Jacob Melchior Atelier (The oldest stained glass studio in Cologne founded in 1854) graduated as a Journeyman with certificate.
Special Studies and Techniques
1975 –1977 Under Kurt Bischoff, acid etching, engraving
1975 –1977 Under Helmut Hoffmann, “cold techniques” wheel engraving and carving
1975 –1977 Under Willie Feuser, Director and founder of the Glass Museum Rheinbach, screen printing and various painting techniques on glass
Conference Presentations
October 27th. 2011, Artist Talk Montreal Museum of fine Arts, Contemporary Glass Artist’s and their practice.
May 4/5 2011, National Gallery Ottawa, “Stained Glass through the Ages” lecture.
April 2010, Ottawa School of Art, Down Town Campus
“A stained glass journey” Lecture about the History and style of stained glass during the centuries and it’s current status as a contemporary art form.
October 2005, Huntingdon, Quebec, Cultural Center
“ A stained glass journey” same lecture as above with some aspects of conservation and restoration of Historic stained glass windows.
Publications
2012, first Book, “Dego’s world”
SOFA Chicago, November 2011 Catalogue
Galerie Elena Lee, 35 Year Anniversary Catalogue
Art Acquisitor, 2012 Issue, New York Publication
November 2010, Exhibition Catalogue SOFA Chicago show.
July/August Issue 2007 Glass Art Magazine USA, five page article about the design and creation of the 5 Huntingdon Cultural center windows.
2007 Article in the New York Times about the POP Burger Building project (Design Ali Tayar, Architect) and glass façade.
Various publications and article in Montreal French and English Press as well as in the Ottawa Design Magazine, Ottawa Citizen and other regional publications.
40 Years of Restoration and Conservation Expertiese, listing some Projects
St. Patrick’s Basilica, Ottawa ON, all the windows 2003-2008
Peace Tower Parliament Buildings Ottawa ON, Memorial Chamber windows 2001-2002
Notre Dame Cathedral, Ottawa, ON, 1999-2000
Many Projects in Montreal, St. Patrick’s Basilica, St. James the Apostle, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Joseph’s Oratorio.
Exhibitions
Up-coming:
Showing my second place winning work at the Saatch Gallery in London probably December 2012, I will post the final date when I have all the info from the Saatchi organization shortly.
Artecorum, Zuerich Switzerland, date to be released yet!
Most recent:
SOFA Chicago November 2-4, 2012
Group show "Wings" Galerie Elena Lee Montreal, June 2012
ARTExpo Toronto, April 19-22. 2012, with Gordon Harrison Gallery, Ottawa ON
Mariza Frozen Gallery, Berlin Germany, December 10, 2011 to January 10, 2012 “Apocalypse Now”
SOFA Chicago November 2-4, 2011, Art & Design / Glass sculpture
September 2011, Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, Chelsea, New York City
May 17 to June 14, 2011 Solo show, Galerie Elena Lee, Montreal
November 2010, SOFA Chicago, glass sculpture/objects.
Since June 2010 at the Galerie Elena Lee, glass sculpture/objects.
September 2010 Instructor Exhibit at the Ottawa school of art, Orleans campus.
2006 –2009 always showing glass and paintings at the Gallery for Her, By ward Market Ottawa.
30 September - 05 December 2005 solo Exhibition Salle Alfred Langevin, Huntingdon, Quebec Cultural Center.
1980’s Canada
1992 Museum of fine Arts, Montreal, Gallery, during the Rene Magritte Exhibition, showcasing local artist working in the ssurrealist style.
1990 Galerie De Lisle, Montreal
1987 Galerie Port Maurice, Qc. Solo show, glass only.
1986 City of Dorval Cultural center, solo show, glass and paintings.
Germany
1984 –1985 EP Galerie, Duesseldorf, group exhibition.
1984 - Galerie Van Remmen, Solingen, solo show.
1981 - Goodyear Germany, Cologne solo show
1981 –Siemens Head quarter, Cologne, solo show.
Teaching activities
Since 2004 Espace Verre Montreal Glass school, teaching “cold” engraving techniques for the students and workshops for professionals.
Biography,
“Dego” (Detlef Gotzens)
developed a signature style that blends organic and industrial elements in his sculptural work, as well as in his paintings, incorporating materials such as metal, wood, and glass. Sculptures. His work is celebrated for its dynamic compositions and masterful balance of contrasts—strength and fragility, nature and machine, chaos and order. This juxtaposition reflects his deep interest in the cycles of creation and destruction that permeate life and nature.
Gotzens has exhibited his work in galleries and public spaces around the world, from Europe to the Americas. Some of his installations often engage directly with the environments they inhabit, creating immersive experiences for viewers. His smaller, more intimate works, meanwhile, invite deeper reflection on themes of time, impermanence Detlef Gotzens, known in the art world as "Dego," is an internationally recognized artist and sculptor whose work is rooted in the exploration of material, form, and transformation. Born in Cologne, Germany (part of the new movement in painting in the 80’s), Gotzens' early fascination with craftsmanship and natural forms led him on a creative journey that spans decades and continents. His unique ability to merge traditional techniques with modern innovation has earned him a distinctive voice in contemporary art.
Over the years, Gotzens has, and human resilience.
As a painter and In addition to his sculptural practice, Gotzens is an educator and mentor, sharing his passion for art and craftsmanship with aspiring artists. His work continues to evolve, always guided by his curiosity and commitment to pushing the boundaries of material expression.
Detlef Gotzens’ art is not only a reflection of his technical skill but also of his personal philosophy—a belief in art's power to connect, inspire, and provoke thought. As "Dego," he remains a transformative figure in contemporary art, constantly seeking new ways to bridge the gap between the natural and the man-made, the seen and the unseen.