Art Karlsruhe 2026

05.02 - 08.02.26

The focus of the curatorial program of Vijion Art Gallery lies in regional art, with particular emphasis on artistic positions from Val Gardena. The region’s long-standing tradition of wood sculpture combines artisanal heritage with a contemporary spirit, giving rise to innovative forms of artistic expression.

Vijion Art Gallery is pleased to present the artists Mirijam Heiler, Andrea M. Varesco, Leo Ferdinando Demetz, Josef Kostner, and Egon Digon at art KARLSRUHE 2026.

Through the works of these five artists, the gallery aims to make visible the broad spectrum of local contemporary art—ranging from two-dimensional works to sculptural practices—while at the same time highlighting the individual artistic approaches and the distinctive appeal of each artwork.

In his sculptures, Leo Ferdinando Demetz addresses the psychological pressures experienced by individuals within societal frameworks. The facial expressions of his figures are marked by an intense and compelling expressiveness that reflects states of inner tension.

At the core of Josef Kostner’s artistic practice lies the process of formation and becoming. His sculptures embody struggle, failure, and renewal. Each work represents a renewed act of bringing form into being—an emotionally charged process of discovery that begins anew with every sculpture. The result is a series of powerful, affect-laden representations of the human figure.

Egon Digon works with wood in a way that seemingly dissolves its material solidity: the hard, massive material appears soft, almost fluid, like foam. Through the compression of originally geometric forms, biomorphic deformations emerge, effectively breaking the perceived rigidity of the wood.

The artist Mirijam Heiler impresses through the clarity and purity of her works. The line consistently serves as the point of departure and, through repetition, acquires a meditative quality. Her works articulate permeable forms and surfaces that guide the viewer’s gaze toward an imagined distance.

The works of Andrea M. Varesco speak of freedom and emotion unfolding within open pictorial spaces. Created through an intuitive painting process and a broad color palette, her powerful images possess the distinctive quality of imbuing the two-dimensional picture plane with a palpable sense of vitality that is directly conveyed to the viewer.