Swiss iron sculptor Peter Federer received a special surprise at the gallery opening of Jürg Ruess's exhibition at Galerie Art d'Oséra in Widnau. During the event, friends of the gallery presented him with the second 'Golden Grape' award, a cultural prize that was first awarded in the Rhine Valley last year to recognize outstanding contributions to regional art and culture.
Artist colleague Kuspi delivered a brief, keynote-style tribute honoring the iron sculptor and highlighting his decades of artistic work. Peter Federer has left a lasting impact not only on the Rhine Valley but throughout Switzerland's public spaces with his powerful yet poetic iron sculptures. The award recognizes his significant influence on the cultural landscape of the region.
The artist, born in 1940, achieved his definitive breakthrough in 1979 when he won a federal competition. This victory allowed him to create the monumental sculpture group 'Ruhn' in front of the barracks in Dübendorf. Since then, his sculptures have been installed in numerous locations across Switzerland, including Dübendorf, St. Gallen, Flawil, Berneck, Rebstein, Widnau, Au, Dietlikon, Zurich, Bern, Basel, Locarno, and Wettingen.
Federer is regarded as one of the most significant representatives of iron sculpture art in Eastern Switzerland. Through competitions and direct commissions, he has contributed for years to enriching public spaces with powerful, distinctive works. His sculptures have become integral parts of the Swiss cultural and artistic landscape, demonstrating his mastery of working with iron as an artistic medium.
Due to the scheduled speaker's last-minute cancellation, artist Jürg Ruess from Berneck took the opportunity to introduce himself and his work to the audience. He shared his journey to art and his passion for capturing faces and bodies in his work. Ruess described himself not as someone who creates pretty drawings, but as a quick sketch artist constantly searching for exciting, lively poses.
The artist explained that mistakes are not flaws in his creative process but rather integral parts of it. He also discussed his sculptures, whose creation is closely connected to spontaneous and instinctive moments. This approach reflects his philosophy of embracing the natural flow of artistic expression rather than pursuing technical perfection.
The evening featured musical entertainment provided by the Flying Sofas, a group consisting of Carlo Lorenzi, Patrick Kessler, and brothers Alexander and Konstantin Wladigeroff. Approximately 250 guests enjoyed an atmospheric evening filled with art and music, celebrating both the recognition of Federer's lifetime achievements and the showcase of Ruess's artistic work.
