Vita
Vita
Helmut Spanner was born on February 5, 1951 in Augsburg. As an only child, he experienced a somewhat overprotected, but overall very happy childhood.
His parents owned a medium-sized haulage company.
He went through the Pestalozzi elementary school in Gersthofen near Augsburg as a high school student, but above all as a highly dangerous center forward on the football field.
His talent for drawing caused a stir for the first time when he delivered 28 dead people in A4 format on the subject of "The Battle of the Lechfeld", with the severed heads of warriors and horses scattered all over the page. On the one hand, this work was exhibited as a graphic model in the upper classes, on the other hand, his parents were asked whether something was going wrong in his upbringing.
His talent for drawing caused a stir for the first time when he delivered 28 dead people in A4 format on the subject of "The Battle of the Lechfeld", with the severed heads of warriors and horses scattered all over the page. On the one hand, this work was exhibited as a graphic model in the upper classes, on the other hand, his parents were asked whether something was going wrong in his upbringing.
After primary school, Helmut Spanner went to the St. Stephan humanistic educational institution in Augsburg. When his grades gradually plummeted into the abyss, his ancient Greek existence luckily came to an early end.
After four hard years, he was allowed to transfer to the Musisches Gymnasium Marktoberdorf in the beautiful Allgäu, where he finally graduated from high school. Prophetically, it was rated "sufficient" in both art and music in the "Certificate of Maturity". It was enough for his later life.
After four hard years, he was allowed to transfer to the Musisches Gymnasium Marktoberdorf in the beautiful Allgäu, where he finally graduated from high school. Prophetically, it was rated "sufficient" in both art and music in the "Certificate of Maturity". It was enough for his later life.
He then applied to both the film school and the art academy in Munich, but was rejected by both. Six months later, at the Academy of Fine Arts, he started a second attempt with exactly the same work - this time by chance successful.
Actually, this beginning says it all. It went on in the same way. Helmut Spanner felt compelled to go swimming in the Upper Bavarian lakes as often as possible. In retrospect, he would have better omitted the second attempt, since studying at the art academy brought him next to nothing for his later career. The teaching of manual skills was rejected then as it is today, as it supposedly stands in the way of creativity. The focus here continues to be on conveying what is ingenious. However, that is exactly what has successfully escaped mediation to this day.
In such an intellectual environment, Helmut Spanner founded the "Bilderbuch Group" with a handful of committed students who were dissatisfied with the academy's offerings. This was strongly theory-oriented and at that time wanted nothing less than to change society. And where do you logically start: Right - with the children!
The group dealt with content-related, artistic and psychological questions about the picture book. Helmut Spanner's work has benefited from these findings to this day.
Actually, this beginning says it all. It went on in the same way. Helmut Spanner felt compelled to go swimming in the Upper Bavarian lakes as often as possible. In retrospect, he would have better omitted the second attempt, since studying at the art academy brought him next to nothing for his later career. The teaching of manual skills was rejected then as it is today, as it supposedly stands in the way of creativity. The focus here continues to be on conveying what is ingenious. However, that is exactly what has successfully escaped mediation to this day.
In such an intellectual environment, Helmut Spanner founded the "Bilderbuch Group" with a handful of committed students who were dissatisfied with the academy's offerings. This was strongly theory-oriented and at that time wanted nothing less than to change society. And where do you logically start: Right - with the children!
The group dealt with content-related, artistic and psychological questions about the picture book. Helmut Spanner's work has benefited from these findings to this day.
His final thesis entitled "All about the cardboard picture book" contains everything you need to know about picture books for small children and about children's perception.
It took until 2018 to see the little one Oberstebrink publishing house dared to publish it as it takes a stand. In the menu "Approach - Childhood Perception“You can read some thoughts from this scripture.
It took until 2018 to see the little one Oberstebrink publishing house dared to publish it as it takes a stand. In the menu "Approach - Childhood Perception“You can read some thoughts from this scripture.
In 1976, while still studying art, Helmut Spanner had the opportunity to publish his first cardboard picture book with the title "My First Things" at Ravensburger.
It was promptly given the grade "poor" in the exam and is still a successful classic today, 45 years later.
It was promptly given the grade "poor" in the exam and is still a successful classic today, 45 years later.
After completing his studies, he briefly worked as a trainee lawyer for art education at a Munich grammar school, but after a second attempt he finally ended this path. It was a difficult step for him as he would have liked to work with young people, but the rigid school system gave him no choice.
His decision was made easier by the looming success of the book "I am the little cat".
In his understanding manner, his father immediately disinherited him for his step into freelance work, but this only encouraged him to continue to make picture books.
In his understanding manner, his father immediately disinherited him for his step into freelance work, but this only encouraged him to continue to make picture books.
Helmut Spanner was mainly supported in his work by his wife Christine.
At that time she was still a primary school teacher and conceptually involved in all the books. They have lived together in Munich and in the countryside since they were studying.
At that time she was still a primary school teacher and conceptually involved in all the books. They have lived together in Munich and in the countryside since they were studying.
In 1982 Helmut Spanner received the "Critici in erba" award for the book "Ich bin die kleine Katzen", which is awarded by the Italian "Bambini".
For the same book he received the "Leander" in 2000, which was awarded by the bookseller and children's book expert Gabriele Hoffmann from Heidelberg.
For the same book he received the "Leander" in 2000, which was awarded by the bookseller and children's book expert Gabriele Hoffmann from Heidelberg.
The second passion of Helmut Spanner was music throughout his life.
If you are interested, you can find out more in the menu "music".
If you are interested, you can find out more in the menu "music".
