Ernst Gamperl

The relationship Ernst Gamperl, an artist of international renown, has developed with wood as a living material, toghether with his acknowledgment of the inescapable nature of serendipity, is a source of creative inspiration as well as the driving forces behind his work - a work revolving around the artist's deep connection with nature and respect for his raw material. The wood worked by Gamperl sometimes comes from majestic trees tens or even hundreds of years old - grown in nature, it is nature that has often sent these unmistakable creatures crashing down.

Trees are an integral part of creation, symbols of life and strength that Gamperl has studied and "perceived" for many years in symbiosis with their essence and nature. His ability to combine an unconventional approach to the material with a revolutionary technique and an original interpretation honed over many years results in works that stand out for their elegance and charisma. Gamperl stretches technique to its limits in creating powerful sculptures that unfailingly stir the viewer, who discovers something never before encountered.

The monograph provides a comprehensive analysis of the life and work of Ernst Gamperl, tracing his extraordinary career spanning almost forty years. Born in Munich and trained as a carpenter, Gamperl taught himself to use his skills for artistic ends, attracting international attention very early on. Living and working in northern Italy, close to the hive of creativity that is Milan, was instrumental in his development. Frequenting artists, musicians, designers, photographers, museum curators and gallery owners, he soon began to build a network of important partners.

His works are exhibited in numerous museums and private collections around the world, including the Issey Miyake Collection in Japan, the LOEWE Foundation in Madrid, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Amorepacific Museum of Art in Seoul, the Fond National d'Art Contemporain in Paris, and the Neue Sammlung in Munich. Among his numerous awards, Gamperl was the very first winner of the LOEWE Craft Prize in 2017, one of the most important art prizes in the world.