Main artist
Patrick Obkircher
An imposing bronze mask on an iron base: Patrick Obkircher’s work To Be plays with the symbol’s double meaning – to hide, or to show oneself authentically. Not a self-portrait, but a play of inner and outer worlds; an invitation to encounter oneself.
When Patrick works, he enters into dialogue – with the clay, the plaster, the emerging form. Planning is hard; much only reveals itself through the process itself. He listens, following intuition rather than logic. What interests him is essence, in form and in people. For him, humanity ends with dishonesty.
Last year, modelling a torso in a course, he became sleepless and unwell – the piece was technically beautiful, yet empty. One night he allowed himself the thought of destroying it. The next morning he pressed it back into clay, and felt well again.
Trained in Gröden, the young sculptor from Welschnofen describes himself as quiet, introverted, still searching. For the Triennale, he hopes visitors will find food for thought – a chance to discover something about themselves, to be touched.
When Patrick works, he enters into dialogue – with the clay, the plaster, the emerging form. Planning is hard; much only reveals itself through the process itself. He listens, following intuition rather than logic. What interests him is essence, in form and in people. For him, humanity ends with dishonesty.
Last year, modelling a torso in a course, he became sleepless and unwell – the piece was technically beautiful, yet empty. One night he allowed himself the thought of destroying it. The next morning he pressed it back into clay, and felt well again.
Trained in Gröden, the young sculptor from Welschnofen describes himself as quiet, introverted, still searching. For the Triennale, he hopes visitors will find food for thought – a chance to discover something about themselves, to be touched.
