Gerhard Petzl
Biography
Born 1973, in Graz, Austria.
Lives & works in Vevey, Switzerland and Kalsdorf/Graz, Austria.
A visual artist who works with bronze, stone, wood, mixed media, chocolate and does not limit himself to any medium, technique and shape. The exploration is the journey, which brings him into unexplored areas and self-discoveries. He sails between 2D-visuals the classical way of drawings on paper or digital, 3D-sculptures and ends up often even in the field of Science. Pioneer of "Chocolate crystals-naturally grown design". Publisher of 3 chocolate art books. Received numerous gold medals, over 21 awards and over 250+ publications on TV, magazines or newspapers around the globe.
"Look inside yourself until you find true beauty.” Quote Gerhard Petzl
What’s your background?
I have actually multiple professions: 1) Sculptor as I attended the “Master Classes of Art and Design”, section sculpturing (2003-05) in Graz, Austria. 2) I was also the youngest Master Pastry Chef in Austria that time, aged 21 (1994) and 3) I specialized then into chocolate making from bean-to-bar expertise and was even voted as the “Master Chocolatier of the year” in NYC, US (2017) and 4) for the last years, I have been working in R&D Product Development as an Innovation Technician in the FEI Team for global markets.
What does it mean to you to win the Collectors Art Prize?
It is always a great and spirit-lifting experience if your art is positively recognized by an institution, a museum or public media. The world we live in is a highly competitive one, so I really appreciate this recognition.
What do you think is the role of art in the world today?
To find the white spots of undiscovered miracles, surprises and reflections in a compressed and oversaturated world where everything is available 24/7 in real-time. In my opinion, it is important to step back or for a moment, dive into a world where curiosity and unknown objects and impressions are awakening the senses. Then you can interrupt and distort the feeling of time and beside the constant stream of information, you will find space for something new. It is like a loophole.
What would it be if you could change one thing about the art world?
Take away the financial aspect and what remains is pure art. Then it will not be reduced just to be an object of investment anymore where the artwork is locked up for 10 years in a dark warehouse in a custom-free zone in Geneva, where no one will ever see it and then sold with a profit of 100% or more. That’s not why the artist created the artwork.
What are your most significant professional achievements?
Over the years, I have won 8 gold medals, over 25 awards in international competitions and multiple art prizes. Therefore, it would not be fair to say one of these prizes is more significant than another but looking at my culinary career being a “Culinary Olympics winner” was probably the highest award you can achieve within the industry. However, the goal should not be prizes and awards, instead you may live in Zen and to do what you do, because the most important moment is NOW. Being in the creative flow is beautiful and an act of meditation for me.
What do you wish to tell viewers about your work that might not come out explicitly? What do you hope to inspire with your artwork?
First is “beauty in everything you see”, even though it may look chaotic, find the beauty within the piece. Look at it from different angles, as all my sculptures are related to mannerism. Second would be “harmony”, as for me, art should be like an interesting movie or book. Once you start the journey, you are unable to stop watching or looking at it. If you as an artist are able to awaken the interest of your viewers, it is more likely that your artwork will be better understood or people are willing to take the time to find out more about it if it isn’t self-explanatory by its shape already.
What advice would you give to the upcoming generation of artists?
I don’t think that I should give an advice to the upcoming generation of artists, as, according to my observation, their focus and interests are totally different to mine. New technologies and their possibilities are creating completely new levels of artworks but what I sometimes miss in younger generations, is “patience”. I have been creating artworks for almost 3 decades now and I still feel like an apprentice. There is so much more to learn and to discover and it looks to me like the journey of life itself is an art form which is manifested into digital or physical creations.
In what direction would you like to see your career go in the next five years?
As my biggest chocolate project was to create a whole room out of chocolate with more than 1.5 tons of chocolate used, I would also like to increase the scale of my bronze sculptures and installations to 5 meters plus. But in order to achieve that I would also require bigger production halls, tools and ateliers.
Country Switzerland
Website https://www.gerhardpetzl.gallery
