Simon Berger, a Swiss glass artist, has captivated audiences worldwide with his unique approach to portraiture, utilizing the fragility of glass to explore the complexities of human emotion and identity. His artistic journey, marked by a series of impressive exhibitions and public artworks, culminated in “Lasting Moment,” a duo exhibition with Pierre-Alain Münger, which was on display at the Laurent Marthaler Contemporary Gallery in Montreux, Switzerland, until September 15, 2024.
Berger’s fascination with human faces serves as the foundation of his artistic exploration. He believes that the face is the “canvas of the soul,” and through his work, he seeks to capture the essence of his subjects. Using a hammer and glass, Berger meticulously creates portraits that embody both beauty and destruction. Each piece requires between 100 and 12,000 precise strikes, resulting in intricate cracks and creases that resonate with emotional depth. This technique not only highlights the fragility of the medium but also reflects the complexities of the human psyche.
His choice of glass as a medium is significant; it allows for a duality of perception—viewers can look at the artwork while simultaneously seeing through it. This interplay creates a dynamic experience, inviting contemplation on the nature of identity and existence. Berger’s work challenges traditional notions of portraiture, as the images hover between disintegration and reconstitution, engaging viewers in a dialogue about perception and reality.
Berger’s artistic prowess has been recognized in numerous exhibitions across the globe. His recent solo exhibitions include “Reverberation” at Atelier Richelieu in Paris, in collaboration with Agence DC, and “Monuments” at Underdogs Gallery in Lisbon, both in 2024. In 2023, he showcased “Simon Berger. Facing Grace” at the Musei Civici Treviso in Italy and “Beauty in Destruction” at West Chelsea Contemporary in Austin, Texas. His work has also been featured in prestigious group exhibitions, such as “The Sublime Nature of Being” in Dubai with impeccable imagination and in the two latest editions of “Glasstress” at the Fondazione Berengo in Venice.
