From the desire to exhibit the historical Munich photographs of his grandfather Herbert Wendling and the possibility to expand his studio space, the Gallery Gerhard Grabsdorf was born in 2010 and 2011.

After a provisional " construction site" in the still unrenovated rooms, the first Munich exhibition then took place in 2011 in the Valentin-Karlstadt-Musäum.

The first years of the gallery were characterized by great experimentation. From street art, often whimsical sculptures and objects, classical painting, comic and pop art to caricatures and, of course, photography, newcomers, but also established artists - mainly coming from Munich - were shown in group and solo exhibitions.

Since 2014, the gallery has focused on kinetic art, historical and contemporary photography, and selected artists from various art genres such as painting and sculpture.

Exhibition Philosophy

Over the years Gerhard Grabsdorf developed his own exhibition philosophy for his gallery.

The exhibitions should not put any artificial obstacles in the way of the visitors. They should invite people to visit the exhibitions, even if they are not primarily art enthusiasts. They should be designed in such a way that they also encourage passers-by in passing to visit the exhibition spontaneously.

The experience and the exchange are put in the foreground. In the case of the kinetic machines, for example, visitors often have to get into action themselves in order to set them in motion. With the photographs, the exchange between visitors about what they have experienced and seen is essential. The exhibitions can be compared more to modern museum exhibitions than to classical sales exhibitions, as they are known from the conventional gallery business.

The exhibits tell stories and/or evoke memories.

"Behind the machine, it is about the human - For man begins where purpose ends" (analogously after Schiller's "Letters on Aesthetic Education"). "Only beyond purpose and duty does he become free."

The success of the philosophy is evident in the diverse groups of visitors. The age range extends from kindergarten groups to mid-agers to aged seniors. The majority of visitors come from Munich and the surrounding area. However, visitors from other European countries - some of whom travel specially - are also welcome guests. The mostly extensive press coverage does the rest. In addition to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the Bayerische Fernsehen, the Bayerischer Rundfunk, the Global Art Magazin, and Das Münchner Kunstjournal, the Münchner Merkur, the Abendzeitung, the TZ, the Münchner Feuilleton and many others have reported on the gallery.

One of the most outstanding (OFF-topic) projects of the gallery is the "LowTech Instruments Museum". A temporary museum for kinetic art machines by Charly-Ann Cobdak.