Galerie Gmurzynska

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Galerie Gmurzynska's flagship location in Paradeplatz 2, Zurich.

Galerie Gmurzynska is an international art gallery with locations in Zurich, Zug and St. Moritz, Switzerland, that specializes in modern and contemporary art as well as Russian avant-garde.

History

The gallery was founded in 1965 in Cologne, Germany by Antonina Gmurzynska. From the beginning, the gallery was interested in organizing exhibitions that had a documentary character both through the choice of themes and through its publications. In its first year, an important exhibition of Japanese art from the 14th to the 19th century was held followed by an exhibition of French masterpieces from Pierre Bonnard up until the mid 20th century. The following year the gallery presented the work of David Burliuk[1] - the first exhibition of Russian avant-garde.

Up until 1971 the gallery’s program focused on Surrealism and international Constructivism in addition to Russian avant-garde. Subsequently, classic Modern art with a special focus on Picasso, Kurt Schwitters, Fernand Leger, Lyonel Feininger, and Robert and Sonia Delaunay were incorporated into the gallery’s program.

From 1986 Krystyna Gmurzynska continued expanding the gallery’s classic modern program and in 1991 the gallery’s new building constructed by the Swiss architect, Roger Diener, was inaugurated. In 1993 the gallery expanded to a second location to a 14th century building in the heart of Zug, Switzerland. With 160 square meters of new exhibition space, this gave the gallery the possibility of installing small and unusual exhibitions. In 1996 Mathias Rastorfer became a partner of both extensions of the gallery, having been with it since 1991 when he left his position as Associate Director at Pace Gallery in New York. Under his influence and in addition to the gallery’s traditional repertoire, the work of contemporary artists such as Donald Judd, Louise Nevelson and Yves Klein amongst others, were incorporated. Ten years later the gallery opened its third branch in St. Moritz at Via Serlas, in 2003.

Forty years after its establishment, Krystyna Gmurzynska and Mathias Rastorfer relocated the gallery from Cologne to its new flagship location in Zurich’s Paradeplatz in 2005. The building that currently houses the gallery dates back to 1857 and it is the same building in which the Dada movement was founded in 1917. The first exhibition in Zurich was a solo exhibition by Alexander Calder entitled, "The Modernist",[2] that was thoroughly endorsed by the Calder Foundation, who described it is as, 'rare to experience a presentation of this quality outside of a museum'. As with each exhibition at the gallery the show featured a fully illustrated catalogue with important essays.

Present

Installation of "Zaha Hadid and Suprematism" in the gallery in Zurich.

Known for its museum quality[3] and uniquely curated exhibitions,[4] Galerie Gmurzynska has hosted over 150 shows in its various premises and published over 100 art historical catalogues and catalogue raisonné in close collaboration with experts worldwide. A few of these recent exhibitions include the 2008, "David Smith: Working Surfaces"[5] that travelled to the Lehmbruck Museum; “Zaha Hadid and Suprematism”[6] in 2010, and Robert Indiana “Rare Works from 1959 and Coenties Slip”.[7] Moreover, the gallery has represented the estates of some of the world’s greatest artists such as Yves Klein, Louise Nevelson, Wifredo Lam and David Smith, in some cases for several generations. Furthermore, the gallery represents contemporary artists Robert Indiana, Fernando Botero, Scott Campbell, Jani Leinonen, and Ronnie Cutrone.

Galerie Gmurzynska continues to present unique exhibitions that are both historically well researched and scientifically documented. It also continues to work with leading art historians as well as collaborating with museums on exhibitions and for the enlargement of their permanent collections. Additionally, it currently participates in several art fairs such as Art Basel Miami Beach, Art Basel Hong Kong,[8] Frieze Masters in London, Salon in New York and Art Basel, Switzerland. In the past it has taken part in FIAC, Abu Dhabi and PAD New York.

Both Krystyna Gmurzynska and Mathias Rastorfer were awarded the Chevalier des Art et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture. Krystyna Gmurzynska was the first foreigner to receive the merit for special achievements by Michael Shvydkoy, the Russian Minister of Culture, recognizing her “important contribution to scientific research, and for the organization of exhibitions in the field of Russian art of the 20th century.”

Artists

References

  1. ↑ "David Burliuk". Galerie Gmurzynska, Zürich, Switzerland. Retrieved January 24, 2014. 
  2. ↑ "Alexander Calder the Modernist". Galerie Gmurzynska, Zürich, Switzerland. Retrieved January 27, 2014. 
  3. ↑ "Important early Indiana works at Gmurzynska". ArtDaily, USA. Retrieved January 24, 2014. 
  4. ↑ "Lam at Frieze Masters". ArtSy, New York, USA. Retrieved January 24, 2014. 
  5. ↑ "David Smith: Working Surfaces". The Stiftung Wilhelm Lehmbruck Museum - Center for International Sculpture, Duisburg, Germany. Retrieved October 24, 2012. 
  6. ↑ "Zaha Hadid and Suprematism". Financial Times,. Retrieved January 24, 2014. 
  7. ↑ "Robert Indiana". Galerie Gmurzynska, Zürich, Switzerland. Retrieved January 24, 2014. 
  8. ↑ "Top Ten Booths at Art Basel Hong Kong 2013". Blouin ArtInfo, New York, USA. Retrieved January 24, 2014. 

External links

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