Whispers in Wood: The Enigmatic Sculptures of Gehard Demetz
Words by Apostolos Mitsios
Location
Bolzano, Italy
Whispers in Wood: The Enigmatic Sculptures of Gehard Demetz
Words by Apostolos Mitsios
Bolzano, Italy
Bolzano, Italy
Location
Gehard Demetz remains a mystery. Born in 1972 in Bolzano, Italy, he currently lives and works in the tranquil mountains of Sëlva Gardena. But perhaps that is all we need to know. Once you lay eyes on his extraordinary wooden sculptures, everything else seems to fade into insignificance. Demetz’s work transcends mere wood—it embodies the material of dreams, where dark surrealism rises and lost children seem to whisper untold stories.
What are these ethereal figures searching for? What secrets do they hide? Their expressions, marked by sorrow and vulnerability, seem to implore justice for unknown wrongs, as if they inhabit the forgotten halls of an orphanage haunted by its past. The porcelain-like finish of the wood contrasts starkly with the missing fragments in the sculptures, creating a haunting reminder of innocence interrupted. These voids tell a painful truth: life, no matter how polished on the surface, cannot escape its shadows. Demetz’s sculptures leave you defenseless, drawing you into their darkness while making you yearn for more.
When we at Yatzer first encountered his work, we were captivated. After numerous requests from readers, we reached out to the artist himself. To our delight, he agreed to grant us an exclusive interview, shedding light on his enigmatic art. For those fortunate enough to be in Madrid, his latest exhibition at Gallery Raquel Ponce (11 February – 27 March 2010) offers an unmissable opportunity to witness his haunting creations in person.
The artist in his studio with the sculpture:
"I want to be flexible", © Gehard Demetz, 2007, wood, 320 x 79 x 87 cm
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano
Photo by the artist
The artist in his studio with the sculpture:
"I want to be flexible", © Gehard Demetz, 2007, wood, 320 x 79 x 87 cm
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano
Photo by Ferdinando Cioffi
You have stolen my silence (detail) , 2006, © Gehard Demetz
wood, 167,5x55x38 cm
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano
Photo by Egon Dejori
How did your artistic journey begin?
My interest in sculpture began in childhood, captivated by the grandeur of religious statues. In Val Gardena, there’s a rich tradition of wood sculpture dating back over 300 years, believed to have originated from Poland. I trained for six years at the Art School in Selva, my birthplace and current home. Later, I taught sculpture there for a decade while continuing my personal artistic development. Teaching, however, drained my creative energy, so I eventually decided to focus solely on my art.
Your sculptures often resemble marble. How do you achieve such a flawless finish with wood?
My process is classical wood-carving, using carving tools, mallets, and motor saws. My sculptures are assembled piece by piece, resembling a digital logic in their construction. This allows me to sculpt, add, and subtract elements with a flexibility that traditional sculpture does not permit.
Your work evokes intense reactions in viewers. Do you enjoy provoking such strong feelings?
I find it fascinating that everyone interprets my work through their own lens, shaped by their experiences and backgrounds. My greatest ambition is to spark a dialogue between my sculptures and the viewers, letting them construct their own narratives.
You have stolen my silence , 2006, © Gehard Demetz
wood, 167,5x55x38 cm
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano
Photo by Egon Dejori
"For my fathers", © Gehard Demetz, 2009, wood, 260 x 90 x 51 cm
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano,
Photo by Alice A. Bosoni
"For my fathers", © Gehard Demetz, 2009, wood, 260 x 90 x 51 cm
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano,
Photo by Alice A. Bosoni
"I am sorry to have forgotten the dreams I mode as child", © Gehard Demetz, 2010, wood, 170 x 37,5 x 31 cm,
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano,
Photo by Martino Gerosa
Some people see your work as a commentary on child abuse. Is this intentional, or is it more about exploring the darker aspects of life?
My sculptures reflect the burden of guilt passed from generation to generation, which children unwittingly inherit. They are witnesses to the struggles of growing up, aware of their sadness but still capable of choosing their own paths. My work is less about explicit darkness and more about the profound effort involved in personal growth and liberation.
Where do you draw inspiration from? Do the characters in your sculptures have specific stories?
My inspiration comes from life—reading, observing, and reflecting. Each sculpture seeks to open a dialogue, posing questions and offering space for contemplation. While I use photos of children as references, I overlay them with adult images to convey a sense of maturity and complexity in their gestures and expressions.
"I am sorry to have forgotten the dreams I mode as child", © Gehard Demetz, 2010, wood, 170 x 37,5 x 31 cm,
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano,
Photo by Martino Gerosa
"I am sorry to have forgotten the dreams I mode as child", © Gehard Demetz, 2010, wood, 170 x 37,5 x 31 cm,
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano,
Photo by Martino Gerosa
Is art inherently autobiographical? Do your own experiences shape your work?
Absolutely. My work often stems from childhood memories, which I’ve come to understand better through studying my ancestors’ histories. The internal dialogues I had as a child were never solitary; they felt like conversations with another world.
Your sculptures depict children who are fragile yet commanding. Do you see innocence as a form of power?
Innocence is powerful. I position the children in my work as conscious agents of their situations, capable of seeking justice on their own terms.
How does your environment, particularly the mountains of Selva Gardena, influence your work?
Living here gives me the calm and distance I need to create. Nature’s serenity permeates my process, but I find spring particularly challenging—it seems to drain my energy.
I hear the spirit while I whisper, 2007, © Gehard Demetz
wood, 166x105x37,5 cm
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano
Photo by Egon Dejori
What are your future plans?
I want to revisit past ideas and reimagine them in today’s context. I’m exploring new materials, especially those that emphasize transparency, to introduce an organic softness to my sculptures. I see transparency as a way to harmonize materiality with a sense of lightness, adding another dimension to my work.
"For my fathers", © Gehard Demetz, 2009, wood, 260 x 90 x 51 cm
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano,
Photo by Alice A. Bosoni
"For my fathers", © Gehard Demetz, 2009, wood, 260 x 90 x 51 cm
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano,
Photo by Alice A. Bosoni
"For my fathers", © Gehard Demetz, 2009, wood, 260 x 90 x 51 cm
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano,
Photo by Alice A. Bosoni
"I have dreamed in German", © Gehard Demetz, 2009, wood, 172 x 71 x 58 cm,
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano,
Photo by Egon Dejor
"I have dreamed in German", © Gehard Demetz, 2009, wood, 172 x 71 x 58 cm,
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano,
Photo by Egon Dejor
"First snow in Israel", © Gehard Demetz, 2009, wood, 171 x 71 x 58 cm,
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano,
Photo by Egon Dejor
"First snow in Israel", © Gehard Demetz, 2009, wood, 171 x 71 x 58 cm,
Courtesy Galleria Rubin, Milano,
Photo by Egon Dejor
Gehard Demetz’s sculptures are more than mere art—they are profound narratives carved in wood, embodying fragility, resilience, and the complexities of human existence. As his haunting figures invite us to confront the shadows within ourselves, they leave an indelible mark on our souls. If you’re fortunate enough to stand before one of his creations, prepare to be both captivated and unsettled.
Gehard Demetz is represented by Galleria Rubin in Milan, Italy.
