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Sculpictor Diffusion - René Mayer

Switzerland

René Mayer – Art as a dialogue with the world

For René Mayer, born in 1947, painting and sculpture are two equally valid forms of expression, driven by the same inner impulse. The Swiss artist, who trained in Basel and has a cosmopolitan nature, has been devoted to art consistently since the 1970s. Starting from representational art, he quickly found his way to an abstract, independent visual language. Today, his oeuvre comprises around 600 remarkable paintings and sculptures of great thematic depth and formal diversity. Mayer lives and works in Basel and Piedmont.

His work is characterised by an engagement with social, ecological, and cultural issues. He explores the connections between humans, nature, and technology, translating them into works of subtle yet powerful intensity. Colour, form and material act as mediators between the visible and the invisible, and between personal reflection and global contexts. His works invite us to pause, reflect, and engage in dialogue.
The series of works presented here provide an impressive insight into the breadth of his artistic thinking, showcasing a range of styles and ideas that demonstrate his ability to explore and evolve as an artist.

The series Creeping Change (Schleichende Veränderung) addresses the fact that changes rarely happen abruptly, but usually in an imperceptible way. It highlights subtle shifts and toxic mutations, as well as the processes of crushing and reshaping that occur in both private and global contexts. One hundred and twelve works reveal the barely perceptible transformations of our civilisation.

In the series Moving Earth (Bewegte Erde), the Earth is depicted as a dynamic entity moulded by forces that alter mountains, valleys, seas and deserts. The 31 pieces reveal its living, wrinkled, ever-changing face. This is a tribute to the creativity and vulnerability of our planet.

The 'Viva Viva' series draws inspiration from driftwood, with colours based on Mexican statuettes. The result is a cheerful, playful microcosm made of terracotta. The 55 pieces in this series have an almost acoustic effect, as if one could hear them chirping merrily.

For the 'Marble & Granite' series, Mayer was inspired by the timeless, minimalist aesthetic of African art. The fifty-seven marble and granite pieces in this series offer a powerful synthesis of simplicity, clarity, and expressive presence.

With his multi-layered oeuvre, René Mayer is one of those artists who successfully combine aesthetic rigour and social relevance. His works are regionally rooted yet globally resonant, offering a precise, poetic commentary on a world in transition.

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