Georg Arfmann was a German sculptor and stonemason known for his work in reconstructing and restoring buildings and facades, as well as his animal and human sculptures.
Arfmann's interest in sculpture began at an early age when he started designing with clay. His grandfather, who was a blacksmith, encouraged his talent, and he went on to pursue an apprenticeship as a stonemason and sculptor in 1944. However, his training was interrupted when he was drafted into the Reich Labor Service during World War II.
After the war, Arfmann resumed his apprenticeship and completed it in 1946 with a grade of very good. His journeyman's piece, a lion, was modeled under Ernst Gorsemann. He then went on to study sculpture at the Staatliche Kunstschule now the Hochschule für Künste Bremen from 1946 to 1950, graduating with honors as a sculptor.
Arfmann worked as a freelance sculptor after completing his studies, focusing on the reconstruction and restoration of buildings and facades. He carried out such work in various cities, including Bremen, Hanover, Hildesheim, Norden, and Braunschweig. In addition to this work, he created works for public and private clients, mostly depicting animals or people in bronze or stone. Arfmann's oeuvre is situated between sculpture and craft.
In 1972, Arfmann began teaching as a specialist teacher at the stonemasonry and sculpture school in Königslutter. He continued to work as a sculptor and teacher until his death in 2014. Arfmann was awarded the Medal of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1984 for his contributions to the field of sculpture and stonemasonry.