The wish for permanence plays a key role: "My figures must be enduring in their expression, in their stance", Josephsohn said, "A narrative gesture is out of the question". His works evoke prehistory, ancient stone steles and romanesque figures. Josephsohn's favourite working material was plaster. He found it ideal - simply it permits directness and spontaneity, both of which were necessary for Josephsohn's working process. Plaster allowed him to repeatedly add material or take it away. The directness of the work process was reflected not only in the immense vitality of the figures but even more by the traces left by this process. For example, finger imprints remain on the surface, referencing the artist's hands as it seeks to mold the material. His artistic examination of the human figure was influenced and determined by his own experience, which for him as an artist, shaped above all by his everyday work in the studio but also by the interpersonal relations in his life. He found his models in his own personal world: They were for the most part friends, relatives - almost always women, very often his own life partner. Real persons are the starting point of this work and search for forms but his works hardly ever had portrait-like character or individual traits. Thus, also for those who knew Josephsohn's models personally, when viewing the corresponding works there is little to remind one of the individuals. Solo exhibitions Galerie Max Hetzler, London, England (2022) Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin, Germany (2022) ICA Milano, Milan, Italy (2019) Museum Folkwang, Essen, Germany (2018) Hauser & Wirth Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland (2015) Kunstparterre, München, Germany (2015) Kunstmuseum St. Gallen, Switzerland (2014) Hauser & Wirth New York, New York, USA (2014) Ernst Barlach Haus, Hamburg, Germany (2014) Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield, UK (2013) Modern Art Oxford, UK (2013) Hauser & Wirth London, London (Piccadilly), UK (2012) Lismore Castle Arts, Lismore, Ireland (2012) Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo/Kyoto, Japan (2011) Hauser & Wirth Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland (2010) Armory Show, New York, USA (2009) Hauser & Wirth Outdoor Sculpture: Hans Josephsohn, Southwood Gardens, London, UK (2009) Josephsohn Bildhauer, Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (2008) Hauser & Wirth London, London, UK (2008) Sculpture at Schönthal, Kloster Schönthal, Langenbruck, Switzerland (2007) Galerie Bob van Orsouw, Zurich, Switzerland (2006) Peter Blum Gallery, New York NY, USA (2006) Museum Liner, Appenzell, Switzerland (2005) Kolumba, Diözesanmuseum, Cologne, Germany (2005) Galerie Reckermann,