Since 1932, wood sculpting has been organized in a professional association. The Swiss Wood Sculptors Association was formed in 2013 by the merger of the Professional Association of Wood Sculptors Brienz with the Swiss Wood Sculptors Association. The members of the association work independently in their studios or are active in related professional fields.
In about 90 years of existence of the association, the traditional craft has constantly developed thanks to its versatile members from all over Switzerland and is represented today in art as well as in the most diverse forms of design and work.
This mobile exhibition with numerous wood sculptors shows the diversity of the valuable work of the Swiss Wood Sculptors Association and makes a stop in the heart of wood sculpture, in Brienz, from May 6 – October 29, 2023.
Vernissage: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Tradition meets modernity, modernity meets its long tradition.
Special Exhibitions – Review
The museum team of the Foundation for Wood Carving Brienz can look back on a respectable series of special exhibitions. Here is an overview:
2011
Carved Masks – Artisan Traditions
May 14 – September 25, 2011
With items on loan from the Museum Rietberg Zurich and private collections
2013/14
Brienz Woodcarving – Immaterial Cultural Heritage and Living Tradition
May 4, 2013 – April 19, 2015
With the inclusion of the museum in the “List of Switzerland’s living traditions”, the diversity of wood sculpture in Brienz was displayed.
2015
Current Production in Swiss Wood Carving
May 9, 2015 – April 16, 2016
An exhibition of the Swiss Woodcarvers Association after merging with the Association of Brienz Woodcarvers VBH
2016/17
Playing with Wood – Wooden Toys to Touch and Admire
May 21, 2016 – November 26, 2017
Wooden toys from different aspects and with enough space to indulge in your own playing instinct.
2018
Carver Dynasty Huggler – 200 Years Art und Artistic Handcraft
May 5 – October 31, 2018
The focus of the special exhibition was the unique Huggler woodcarving dynasty, which shaped wood carving in the region over a period of 200 years.
2019
Women Woodcarvers in the Cabinet
May 4 – October 27, 2019
It was time to dedicate a platform to the increasing number of women in wood carving. The exhibition attracted considerable attention and was a success.
2020/21
Carl Binder Brienz – Paris – Brienz
May 2 – October 31, 2020 and May 1 – October 30, 2021
Influenced by great French masters, Carl Binder celebrated international success. The exhibition showed early and later smaller to life-size figures and works.
2022
Bernhard Dürig – Forms of Nature
May 8 – October 31, 2022
The banded sculptures seduce the observer with their lightness and elegance, as if a breath of wind could move them.