Born 1973, in Graz, Austria.
Lives & works in Vevey, Switzerland and Kalsdorf/Graz, Austria.
A visual artist who works for over 30 years with bronze, stone, wood, mixed media, chocolate and does not limit himself to any medium, technique and shape. The exploration of shape, colour and texture is his personal on-going journey, which brings him into unexplored areas and self-discoveries. He sails between 2D-visuals the classical way of drawings on paper to digital art. He creates 3D-sculptures (from found objects, recycled materials to metal works like bronze or Aluminium) and ends up often even in the field of Science.
- Pioneer of using "Chocolate crystals" as an art form (like he did with his famous "Planet series") and he uses crystal pattern as naturally grown design elements for lifestyle products.
- Masterclasses of Art and Design - section sculpting, Ortweinschule Graz, Austria (2003-05, with diploma).
- Publisher of 3 chocolate art books.
- Received numerous gold medals, over 21 awards and appeared over 16 x on TV, in 250+ publications magazines or newspapers around the globe.
- He has lived and worked on 4 continents and was influenced therefore by many different cultures, people and artworks from different times and styles in history.
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In the ever-evolving narrative of sculpture, Gerhard Petzl emerges as a contemporary sculptor whose work commands a unique presence in the dialogue with the old masters. His oeuvre, a confluence of abstract forms and material experimentation, shares an undercurrent with the explorations of the greats, yet speaks with a distinct voice that resonates with today’s aesthetic inquiries.
Petzl's sculptures are cerebral yet visceral, combining intellectual rigor with sensory impact. They carry the weight of art history, but they are not burdened by it. Instead, they leverage the past to launch into a conversation about the present, and indeed the future. His sculptures do not merely stand in silent homage but engage in a vibrant dialogue with these historical figures, questioning and extending their legacies.
Gerhard Petzl’s sculptures stand at the intersection of history and modernity. His work is a testament to the power of sculpture to evolve, to absorb the lessons of the past while boldly forging its own path.
Like the old masters, Petzl understands the primacy of form, but he also recognizes the infinite possibilities inherent in modern materials and contemporary themes. His sculptures are not just objects to be viewed; they are participants in a broader cultural discourse, bridging the gap between what sculpture has been and what it can become.
The dialogue Petzl engages in is not a quiet conversation; it is a resounding exchange that reverberates through the halls of art history. Each piece, with its own distinct voice, contributes to a chorus that speaks of innovation, reflection, and the enduring quest for understanding through art. While his works are deeply rooted in the tradition of sculpture as a medium of solidity and permanence, Petzl also seems to suggest that sculpture, like all art forms, is fluid. It is capable of change, growth, and adaptation. In this sense, his works are less statues than they are moments of transition, capturing the essence of sculpture as it stretches towards new horizons. They are not only a reflection of his own artistic journey but also a map of sculpture's potential trajectory. They stand as a testament to the enduring relevance of the medium, and to the ability of artists to continue to reimagine and reinvent it. His works invite us to look again, to reconsider our preconceptions, and to see the lineage of sculpture not as a series of closed chapters but as an open book, with pages still being written.
His sculptures stand as a testament to the enduring power of form and material in conveying artistic vision. His work is an exploration of balance, texture, and the interplay between light and shadow, meticulously crafted from materials like bronze and aluminum which he manipulates with both reverence and innovation. Petzl's approach to sculpture is both architectural and organic, creating pieces that resonate with the complexity of natural forms while retaining a distinctly modern aesthetic.
Text by CONTEMPORARY ART CURATOR, Marta Puig
