MAJA THOMMEN

about the artist

Born in Zürich, Switzerland, Maja Thommen enjoyed her formal artistic education at the Academy of fine Arts Carrara, Italy, from 1991-1995, between marble quarries, bronze foundries and an international bohemian entourage.

Remaining in northern Tuscany – Camaiore/Pietrasanta – the sculptor, who has focused on casting techniques and works in bronze for the past 15 years, develops her exhibition activity mostly in the German speaking countries, above all Switzerland. Around 2000, Thommen turned to bas-reliefs and casting materials like acrylic resin, concrete and aluminum fusions, whilst modeling delicate surfaces which combine archaic and contemporary techniques and appear to vibrate in the ever-changing light. More recently, she has added to her repertoire laser cutting on stainless steel and porcelain.

Maja Thommen's interest, which always circles around the human interior life, expresses itself on one hand in series of small-scale work, on the other hand in life-size interactive sculptures, which have been exhibited and installed in many public places.

Residencies have brought her to the U.S., Japan and Denmark, but in the last three years the artist has found her inspiration in Iceland, where she goes regularly for stays and where she has installed a monumental Corten steel sculpture.