Koerner was born in
Brno,
Moravia,
Austria-Hungary, the son of Theodor Koerner, part of a family involved in the lumber industry. Koerner was introduced to art at an early age in
Paris and
Italy. Although his ultimate goal was to become an artist, on his father's advice, he studied law at
Charles University in Prague and at the
Sorbonne. With the rise of
Nazi Germany, he left Prague with his father and uncles, settling in Paris, where he studied art with
Othon Friesz, among others. However, it became necessary for the family to leave again and, in the 1939, they arrived in
Vancouver, British Columbia. the
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV),
Museum London, the
Burnaby Art Gallery, and elsewhere. His work was influenced by German philosopher
Bo Yin Ra. == References ==