These sculptures stimulate reflection

“You simply can’t beat Nature, nor true friendship," says Urs Bischof at the vernissage of his new exhibition in the lobby of the Parkhotel in Zug. As always, the exhibition of the well-known Zug artist takes place on the first day of Advent. On the very first day, many local people and visitors want to view the new works of the goldsmith, who has a special flair for sculptures. "Of course, I’m delighted that so many people have attended the vernissage," says Urs Bischof proudly.
 
One thing is clear from the 17 exhibited objects: Urs Bischof has remained true to his style. As always, he focuses on the human being in his sculptures. These are sometimes almost swallowed up by their surroundings, in order to dominate in another work. One thing is uniform in Bishop's work: the effect of the visual imagery. Whether in "Kraftakt (forcefulness)", "Flirt", "Innigen Umarmung (intimate embrace)" or "Offenen Ohr (open ear)", this is quite what the creators of these eye-catchers intended. The artist from Zug added: "If the person is not the centre of attention, we have come to the end." He is also certain that many viewers see themselves mirrored in his works.
 
Urs Bischof has discovered a new material for the new exhibition: a piece of the Berlin Wall, which separated people in Berlin from 1961 to 1989. "I received it as a gift," recalls Urs Bischof. The golden man lifts up the masonry, and thereby celebrates "a piece of freedom". Bishop thereby wants to express that the man is glad that the imprisonment of the GDR citizens came to an end after the fall of the Wall on 9 November 1989. He had been trapped behind this wall for many years. Now he proudly carries a piece of that separation like a trophy. Urs Bishop uses this symbolism to stimulate viewers to think about their own person.
 
Bishop's sculptures are unique, and it takes between two weeks and two months to create a new work. "I usually work on five objects at the same time," says Urs Bischof. "I’m not a painter who can paint one room after another." The artist, who has lived in the canton of Zug since the late 1960s, is proud of the fact that his works are now also appreciated outside Switzerland. One sculpture is in Shanghai (China), another in Monaco, and he will soon exhibit his work in Cologne. Urs Bishop's work can also be seen in many places in Switzerland. For example, he created the sculpture in the Talacher roundabout, as well as a fountain near the town hall in Unterägeri. Large sculptures are also currently on display in the Kunstpark in Samstagern (municipality of Richterswil) or at Zurich Cantonal Bank in Witikon. The Christmas illuminations in Baar are also a work by Urs Bischof. All of this is a testimony to the continued diversity of the Zug artist.
 
Note
 The sculpture exhibition by Urs Bischof will be on display in the lobby of the Parkhotel in Zug until January 29, 2017. You can find more information at www.ursbischof.ch.