Peter Demetz
Overview
"The people in my works invite us to follow them into their distraction-free world, where we remain, timeless and alone, observing them and the space they are in."
Peter Demetz was born in 1969 in Bolzano-Italy and lives and works in Ortisei (BZ). After completing his studies at the Ortisei Art Institute, Demetz began an apprenticeship under Maestro Heinrich Demetz and earned his Master's Degree in sculpture. Considered one of the most interesting contemporary wooden sculptors, Demetz has been actively supported by organizations including the Swarovski Design Center, Wattens, the LKJ-Sachsen Leipzig, and Daetz-Centrum in Lichtenstein.
Peter Demetz is best known for his incredibly realistic hand-carved sculptures of people, caught in contemplative, in-between moments. His installations push beyond the framework of daily life, capturing the simple gestures and unique poses of his subject. His scenes are like snippets of everyday life; suspended in a timeless universe and demarcated from reality through the silence and simplicity of the surrounding space. The artist sculpts his subjects with stunning meticulousness, reproducing tiny folds in clothing, facial wrinkles, and individual strands of hair. Conversely, the figures’ minimalist surroundings are left open to interpretation. Using a few lines, block colors and, above all, theatrical lighting, the artist creates fictitious spaces. It is we who imbue them with meaning, who see them according to our own experiences in the real world.
There is never eye contact between the subject and the observer, giving the impression that these figures are existing in their own world: they are aware of being observed, yet leave an empty space between themselves and the observer. Demetz communicates a strong sense of soul-searching in his works, which capture subjects in intimate yet mundane moments during which the true nature of existence is often contemplated.
Works
Installation shots
Exhibitions
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Echoes of Being
Solo exhibition by Peter Demetz 27 Mar - 10 May 2025We are delighted to present Echoes of Being, the second solo exhibition of internationally acclaimed sculptor Peter Demetz at Impulse Gallery, on view from March 27th - May 10th. A master of realistic wood sculpture, Demetz returns to Lucerne with ten exclusive new works commissioned for this exhibition.Read more
Recognized as one of the foremost wood sculptors working today, Peter Demetz is celebrated for his exquisitely hand-carved figures, capturing human subjects in moments of introspection. His sculptures depict individuals seemingly suspended in time—caught between movement and stillness, thought and action. While the details of his figures are astonishingly intricate, down to the delicate folds of clothing, facial contours, and even individual strands of hair, their surroundings remain minimalist and abstract.
In Echoes of Being, Demetz juxtaposes precise realism with stark simplicity, exploring presence, absence, and perception. This profound meditation on human existence draws you into a world where time slows and silence resonates. -
THE SILENCE OF TIME (LESSNESS)
SOLO EXHIBITION OF PETER DEMETZ 30 Mar - 3 Jun 2023Impulse Gallery is proud to present Peter Demetz's first major exhibition in Switzerland from 30 March until 3 June. The exhibition, titled 'Die Still der Zeit[losigkeit]‘, reflects the Italian wood sculptor’s long-standing fascination with time, silence, and timelessness. It features 19 new sculptures that have never been shown before, taking over the entire 450 sqm of the gallery.Read more
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