Katharina Rähmi
Grew up near Basel, Switzerland
Studies at Schule für Gestaltung in Basel (1976–1980)
Lives and works in Zurich, Switzerland
My work is based on experiencing nature and being familiar with western and non-western art. Returning from my travels in China, I work with memorys in my studio in Zurich. I feel connected to the natural simplicity that arises from Eastern philosophies.
I usually work in series to really deepen a topic. My most recent work is entirely devoted to rice. Rice is food, and every grain of rice contains the renewing substance of nature. Rice inspires me with the growth cycles, its dimensions and its essence to transform all f this into art. Installation with rice are visions of this spiritual nourishment. But rice is also a staple, something every day in the lives of billions of people, something existential, something very valuable. In many traditions, grain is the epitome of life, renewal, becoming and passing away. Rice has also a rich and a ritual character. Rice is a beacon of hope that strengthens the collective soul. A form of happiness.
I think, among other things, my artistic practice circles around a relationship to real nature and nature in mind. In rice I try to discover its respective impulse by not using it, but following its inspiration and bringing it into a form that is close to my heart and I can visualize. To me, my work is based on the question of how I want to be in this world and meet everyone in my life.
Solo Exhibitions
2023 | Parlez-vous français, sprechen sie Deutsch? Galerie Artsenal, Délemont, Switzerland |
2020 | Elevated, Lechbinska Gallery, Zurich, Switzerland |
2020 | Aura of the Grains, Europe Culture Season, Fanmate Flying Creative Park, Chengdu, China |
2019 | Aura of Rice Grains, IWE Museum, Kunming, China |
2014 | Stripped of all Colors, Casa del Tè, Monte Verità, Ascona, Switzerland |
1994 | 36 Metallic Pictures CU 2 x 8 Sequences, Kunstverein Langenhagen, Hannover, Germany |
1992 | Katharina Rähmi, Gallery J.W. Jans, Hamburg, Germany |