Roman Signer | New Works

The Kestner Gesellschaft is featuring the artist Roman Signer (*1938, Appenzell) in an extensive solo exhibition with new works mainly from the past three years. The diverse oeuvre of this internationally renowned Swiss sculptor will be presented with thirteen sculptures and installations as well as five films on both floors of the exhibition venue. Known for his explosive performances, the artist has been working on an expanded concept of sculpture since the early 1970s. Signer focuses on processes, material properties, and working with ordinary objects. His works thus show connections to conceptual art, Land Art, and Arte Povera. Signer augments the three dimensions of sculpture with a fourth: time. Using moving everyday objects such as a moving lawnmower and flying model helicopters, the passing of time and traces of past events are also made visible and tangible as metaphors for transience. The exhibition Roman Signer: New Works also features two walk-in installations that will be presented for the first time at the Kestner Gesellschaft.

Roman Signer was born in 1938 in Appenzell. He studied at the Schule für Gestaltung in Zurich and Lucerne as well as at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Since his participation in documenta 8 in Kassel (1987), Skulptur Projekte Münster (1997), and the Venice Biennale (1999), he has been one of the most important contemporary artists. Signer has been featured in solo exhibitions at the Kunstmuseum St. Gallen (2018), Kunsthal Aarhus (2017), Middelheim Museum in Antwerp (2016), MAN Museum in Nuoro (2016), Sprengel Museum Hannover (2010), and Hamburger Kunsthalle (2009), among others. In Hanover, the artist was also represented at Expo 2000 and the Herrenhäuser Gärten (2010) with a project. He was recognized for his oeuvre with the Prix Meret Oppenheim (2010), the Ernst Franz Vogelmann Prize for sculpture (2008), and the Kunstpreis Aachen (2006). He lives and works in St. Gallen.

The exhibition is supported by Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Embassy, and the friends of the Kestner Gesellschaft.

Curator: Christina Végh Assistant Curator: Julika Bosch