Culture demonstrates the creative power that sustains societies. Art and culture reflect social exchange, they point beyond everyday events. For Vollack, engaging with art in various forms of expression is an important part of corporate culture.

Art exhibitions in FORUM 1.
The principle of transformation.

Art enriches the working world and invites dialog. It inspires and stimulates reflection. New and unknown things are revealed. Perspectives change. We are convinced that creativity is the motor for change, further development and renewal. We promote this force with an exhibition concept that is dedicated to the principle of transformation.

Kerstin Sokoll:
Exhibition "Full of Color" at FORUM 1.

Kerstin Sokoll’s works focus on conveying emotional depth through a reduced, non‑figurative visual language. Although her paintings appear abstract, they maintain a strong sense of intention and invite viewers to engage closely with their formal qualities. Their effect is shaped by a deliberate use of color, texture, and layering, which together create a distinct visual presence. Her compositions follow a structured approach and reveal multiple levels of detail. Sokoll primarily uses acrylic on canvas and expands this medium through mixed‑media methods that introduce elements approaching collage. The resulting works evoke associations with natural environments such as forests, aquatic spaces, or cosmic formations, without depicting them directly.

Glow of the Sky
Acrylic on canvas
140 x 100 cm

Through her international exhibition activities and the presentation of her work in respected publications across Europe, the United States, and Australia, Karlsruhe-based artist Kerstin Sokoll has gained recognition among a global art audience.

In 2019, her series “(not) far away” received particular attention: it was shown during the 58th Venice Biennale in the exhibition “Consciousness” at Palazzo Ca’ Zanardi as well as in the show “Visions” at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

The interaction of color, form, material, and composition also resonates with professionals involved in spatial and surface design. This affinity explains why Vollack has long maintained a close relationship with art. Concepts drawn from the field of energy—such as inspiration and dynamism—often serve as apt metaphors for both artistic creation and collaborative work.

The new exhibition at Vollack FORUM 1 brings fresh momentum into the working environment, creating an atmosphere that sparks curiosity and fosters a sense of forward-thinking creativity. Art becomes an active part of the space: it enhances the overall experience, strengthens identity, and supports a culture in which ideas can grow.

We are convinced that integrating artistic perspectives enriches our surroundings, adds depth to everyday routines, and contributes to a motivating, energetic workplace.

You can find the exhibition brochure here.

Karlsruhe Multiple:
Doing good together.

The Karlsruhe Multiple continued for the eighth year in 2026. The art project initiated by Vollack is a collaboration with Karlsruhe Zoo. With the project, Vollack aims to build a bridge between nature and culture for the benefit of species conservation and at the same time provide creative impetus for the city and its citizens.

The Karlsruhe Multiple 2026: Hyacinth Macaw “Arara Azul”.

The concept is to artistically depict an endangered species each year. A large sculpture is created, which is donated to Karlsruhe Zoo, and a limited series of 100 small works of art, the multiples, from the sale of which a donation is made to the Artenschutzstiftung Zoo Karlsruhe. This year's figure of a reticulated giraffe, created by artist Irmela Maier and presented to the public at the art fair art KARLSRUHE, once again captured people's hearts. The entire edition was already sold out during the fair. 100 euros from every copy sold will go to the Species Protection Foundation.

Fewer than 5,000 hyacinth macaws remain in the rainforests of South America. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world’s largest flying parrot is classified as endangered. The dramatic decline in numbers is primarily caused by habitat loss due to deforestation and by illegal wildlife trade.

This is why the art and conservation project “Karlsruhe Multiple” 2026 is dedicating a series of sculptures by artist Irmela Maier to the hyacinth macaw. “Nature surpasses all art: what a magnificent creature! And how skillfully a hyacinth macaw uses its claws as tools,” says the artist, describing her fascination with these threatened birds.

The sculpture, entitled “Arara Azul”—Portuguese for “Blue Macaw” - was presented at art KARLSRUHE 2026. For each piece sold, Vollack donates 100 Euro to the Karlsruhe Zoo Species Conservation Foundation.

Discover also the respective Karlsruhe Multiple of the past years.

2025: Polar Bear “Urs”

In 2025, a polar bear cub living at Karlsruhe Zoo inspired the third artwork by artist Irmela Maier. The sculpture of a playful young polar bear immediately captured visitors’ hearts at art KARLSRUHE, where the entire edition sold out during the fair in support of the Karlsruhe Zoo Species Conservation Foundation.

Named “Urs” - derived from Ursus, the Latin word for bear - the sculpture now also stands as a large-scale figure at the polar bear enclosure. Serving as a climate ambassador, it draws attention to the growing threats faced by polar bears and their fragile habitat.

2024: Giraffe “Sabana”

With its long neck and unique coat pattern, the giraffe is one of Africa’s most impressive inhabitants; all of its various species are endangered. The Karlsruhe Multiple 2024 depicts a giraffe in a net. It is very rare to see these animals in such an unusual posture. They assume this relaxed position only when they feel completely safe. The artwork “Sabana” - created by artist Irmela Maier - draws on the origin of the name of their habitat: the word is the Caribbean-Spanish term for savanna.

2022: Hippopotamus "Blue"

After the 2021 project had to be paused due to the pandemic, Hippopotamus "Blue" was realized in 2022. Artist Irmela Maier designed a ceramic in iridescent turquoise blue. The hippopotamus appears to rise out of the water. Artist Irmela Maier depicted the animal in a particularly naturalistic way and at the same time played with the motif of the Egyptian hippopotamus, which symbolized power and strength in turquoise glaze as a burial object. How times change: Today, animals need our protection.

2020: Humboldt Penguin "Change!"

Environmental destruction and climate change are endangering more and more animal and plant species. Among them is the Humboldt penguin, native to the Pacific coast of South America. The sculpture by artist Klaus Gutowski in 2020 vividly showed the change in the habitat of this water bird. Due to overfishing of the oceans and the mining of guano, which is vital for the animals, it is in danger. The appeal character became the title of the sculpture: "Change!". It awaits the zoo visitors in the direct vicinity of the animal conspecifics.

2019: The Red Panda
"Cat Bear"

The Karlsruhe Multiple 2019 was called "Cat Bear" and drew attention to the highly endangered species of the red panda or cat bear, which zoologist Frederic Cuvier called the "most beautiful mammal on earth." Artist Daniel Wagenblast created the figure, which showed the animal on a preserving hand. The large sculpture was handed over to the zoo in April 2019 to find its place near the enclosure of the red pandas living in Karlsruhe.

2018: Kick-off with
"I am an elephant"

Vollack celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018 and initiated the Karlsruhe Multiple art project. The initiative was put into practice together with the zoo and the Majolika Manufaktur as an active contribution to species conservation. "I am an elephant" - was the title of the resulting ceramic sculpture, which was presented to the public for the first time at the art KARLSRUHE 2018 art fair. Artist Anna Dorothea Klug had created the figure. Since then, the figure has stood not far from the pachyderm enclosure at the zoo. Within 24 hours, all 100 multiples had been sold. An inspiring and encouraging start!

Andreas Helmling
in FORUM 1.
Permanent exhibition

Sculpture "Working together

Artist Andreas Helmling, closely associated with Vollack for decades, has passed away. We mourn the loss of a creative personality who accompanied our company with his art for many years. Joint sculpture projects, such as the "Ettlinger Tor" in Karlsruhe at the Südtangente, the work "Zusammen wirken" in front of the FORUM 1 or the "opening sculptures", which are loved by our customers and us and decorate numerous buildings, bear witness to his work and our friendship.

With his art, Helmling sought a relationship with people. "Art is created in dialogue," he was convinced. He had been working with Vollack since the nineties. The sculptures at the company's FORUM 1 headquarters and in the surrounding outdoor area have become part of the Vollack world.

For example, the large sculpture "Working Together" in front of the building welcomes employees and guests. It is at the same time a symbol of the company's attitude to cooperation and of the Vollack values: Imaginative. Respectful. Strong in implementation. Reliable.

An impressive sculptural work in bright blue - a gift from Vollack to the fan-shaped city - also enlivens the southern tangent as Karlsruhe's main traffic artery. "What unites Vollack and me is the idea that our work goes beyond mere basic utility," Helmling explained.

Sculpture Ettlinger Tor

Andreas Helmling's sculpture "Ettlinger Tor", weighing 80 tons and impressive in its size and dimensions, was created on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Baden Revolution. Its creation was initiated by Vollack, realized with 40 partner companies and handed over to the city in 1998. Shining in light at night, it is a landmark for the fan-shaped city and an effective reminder of one of its historic city gates.

You are an artist yourself and interested in a contact? Would you like to learn more about our art projects? Contact and more information: kunst@vollack.de.

Art + Culture.

Art exhibitions in FORUM 1.The principle of transformation.

Kerstin Sokoll:Exhibition "Full of Color" at FORUM 1.

Karlsruhe Multiple: Doing good together.