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until 11.05. | #2417ARTatBerlin | Galerie ART CRU Berlin presents from 6th April 2019 the exhibition FROM ORPHAN TO GENIUS with works by the Swiss artist Hans Krüsi.
Gallery ART CRU Berlin and Kunstmuseum Thurgau are exhibiting around 30 works by Hans Krüsi (1920-1995). They have been selected to provide a comprehensive overview of his rich output, revolving around the topic of self-discovery and selfrepresentation. In addition to non-salable main works, several selected pieces will be put on public display for the first time.
Improvised sales cart, around 1980
various materials, including Swiss military bombers
Copyright Estate Hans Krüsi, Thurgau Art Museum
Hans Krüsi undated, gouache and opaque white on paper and cardboard
framed with wooden strip, frame, height 89.5 width 59 depth 4
Copyright Estate Hans Krüsi, Thurgau Art Museum
Hans Krüsi grew up as an orphan in the canton of Appenzell, always on the margins of society. As a young man, the autodidact wanted to be a gardener and for years sold selfbound bouquets on Zurich’s Bahnhofstraße before expanding his “product range” with his first works of art such as postcards, photographs and small-format drawings.
The compositions – initially created on napkins, cardboard and wrapping paper – depict landscapes, animals and humans, often arranged in silhouette-like symmetry or serial repetition.
Napkin with figures, animals and writing Galöri, undated,
Felt pen on paper napkin, 33,5 x 33,5
Copyright Estate Hans Krüsi, Thurgau Art Museum
Head tower, undated. Mixed media on paper 15 x 8 cm
Copyright Estate Hans Krüsi, Thurgau Art Museum
First artists, then gallery owners, and finally the press became aware of the eccentric outsider artist, who suddenly found himself in the spotlight. The experimental artist was soon able to make a living from his multimedia works. He created handheld cinemas, photographed his surroundings with a Polaroid camera and reproduced his images using a photocopier, only to paint over them again. Within photography, the artist was especially interested in flaws and imperfections: photos were often over- or underexposed, blurred, distorted or cut off. He continued to modify them, carving or cutting them. His motifs were deeply influenced by the Appenzell Alpine landscape. He drew or painted ghost-like figures on basically everything he felt like. Notably, he made the streets of Zurich and St. Gallen his stage, playing the role of an unconventional salesman.
Anton Bruhin: Hans Krüsi in Zurich selling his works, around 1980
Copyright Estate Hans Krüsi, Thurgau Art Museum
Krüsi had little outside contact, hardly any family ties and became increasingly distanced from society and its norms. Throughout his life he remained in a fragile condition due to a history of tuberculosis. A congenitally weak state of health, problematic living conditions and a poor diet led to several stays in hospitals and nursing homes. During the final years of his life, his symptoms intensified. In September 1995, the artist died in his home due to pulmonary emphysema.
Vernissage: Friday, 5th April 2019, 7:00 pm. Introduction: Markus Landert, Director Art Museum Thurgau.
Exhibition period: Saturday, 6th April – Saturday, 11th May 2019
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Exhibition Hans Krüsi– Galerie ART CRU | Zeitgenössische Kunst in Berlin | Contemporary Art | Exhibitions Berlin Galleries | ART at Berlin
