The sculptor Erich Hauser, born in the Swabian town of Rietheim in 1930, became renowned for his metal sculptures, initially, he had learned the trade of steel engraving and thus put the focal point of his work on the material steel. While he was doing his apprenticeship between 1945 and 1948 he took private art lessons, afterwards he broadened his knowledge in studies at the State Academy of Visual Arts Stuttgart.
Erich Hauser participated with his works in several documenta exhibitions in Kassel. Erich Hauser taught at, among others, the Berlin University of the Arts, where he was appointed professor in 1986. The sculptor died in his last place of residence Rottweil in 2004. Erich Hauser's works are regularly part of exhibitions in, e.g. Berlin, Rottweil and Stuttgart, even beyond his death.
Metal, particularly steel is Erich Hauser's preferred material, which can be interpreted as the continuation of early experience gained during his apprenticeship. While Erich Hauser's early work shows influence of, for instance, Pablo Picasso, the artist attained more and more formal strength in the early 1960s, which is shown by the increased usage of industrially made steel and iron products.
Works by Erich Hauser are in possession of renowned collections, among others the Berlin Nationalgalerie or the ZKM in Karlsruhe.