Roman Signer

Born in Appenzell, Switzerland, 1938
Lives and works in St. Gallen, Switzerland

The artistic events that Roman Signer constructs for us are based on process, play, experiment, and wonder. His materials are elemental physical phenomena — observations all the more astonishing in view of the humor that informs this artist’s oeuvre. It is an extremely subtle brand of humor yet to be discovered by the art world. The serenity, clarity, and lightness of Signer’s actions impress us. They are devoid of the tautological leadenness of certain art in the seventies that agonized righteously in an attempt to demonstrate that water flows and a chair is a chair.

Roman Signer, Organ Pipe, 2020

Roman Signer, Organ Pipe, 2020

Metal, 78 × 322 × 75 cm

Roman Signer, Konzert mit Störung, 2015

Roman Signer, Konzert mit Störung, 2015

Colour photographs, edition of 10 + 3 E.A., 4 parts, each 30 × 45 cm

Exhibition view, Galerie Martin Janda, 2015

Exhibition view, Galerie Martin Janda, 2015

Photo: Markus Wörgötter

Roman Signer, Rote Linie, 2013

Roman Signer, Rote Linie, 2013

Colour photographs, edition of 10 + 3 E.A., 2 parts, each 40 × 60 cm

Exhibition view, Galerie Martin Janda, 2012

Exhibition view, Galerie Martin Janda, 2012

Photo: Lisa Rastl

Roman Signer, Kajak mit Paddeln, 2010

Roman Signer, Kajak mit Paddeln, 2010

Kayak, 4 paddles, rope, 404 × 35 × 68 cm

Roman Signer, Aktion mit Fässern, Thun (CH), 1992

Roman Signer, Aktion mit Fässern, Thun (CH), 1992

B&W photograph, edition of 10 + 3 E.A., 4 parts, each 40 × 30 cm

Roman Signer, Sandinstallation, Raum für Kunst, Kleinhüningen (CH), 1989

Roman Signer, Sandinstallation, Raum für Kunst, Kleinhüningen (CH), 1989

Wagon, box of sand, installation dimensions variable. Photo: Stefan Rohner