GEHARD DEMETZ

GEHARD DEMETZ

"I am fascinated by a whole series of child and adult attitudes and behaviours. Many of their attitudes seem mysterious, almost incomprehensible, and they capture my imagination, which is constantly seeking likenesses and contrasts. So I find myself with notes and sketches all over the place, on pieces of paper, on notes in my pocket, in books and in my diary. I build and sculpt the sculpture directly from the drawing and often a written thought is the starting point for various subjects. When I look at the photographs of my sculptures, I realise that my stile has a clear continuity of thought. But the incredible thing is that even after I have finished a work, I continue to think about it and want to develop it.

My subjects transmit the awareness of becoming adults and thus losing, as Rudolf Steiner says, their ability to be able to “hear” their unconscious. They live with the burden of guilt transmitted from generation to generation, which doesn’t belong to them. They are children who feel sad about not being able to really be children, but who have, on the other hand, the possibility of choosing to become adults, totally independently, thus freeing themselves little by little of all the influences transmitted by their ancestors. They are witness to all the effort involved in the process of growth and development, which is achieved through individual will and concentration." GEHARD DEMETZ

In just a few years, Gehard Demetz has risen to international prominence by applying his incredible craftsmanship as a traditional woodcarver to subjects that are new and appealing to contemporary viewers.His sculptures of children are at the same time attractive and disquieting and rendered with an amazing perfection that is by no means rhetorical or classical. One of the most startling technical features is the construction using small woodblocks and juxtaposing finely polished parts to very rough and sketchy surfaces. This particular construction and treatment render his sculptures absolutely unique in the domain of contemporary wood sculpture and is partly responsible for the great curiosity aroused by the appearance of his work in the art world. Since his debut in 2005, Gehard Demetz has been invited by prominent galleries to exhibit in the United States, Spain, Germany, Korea. He has also produced monumental sculptures on commission for collectors around the world.

Born 1972, Bolzano (Italy). Lives and works in Selva di Val Gardena.


☁ GEHARD DEMETZ