Erwin Wurm | One minute forever

In line with its long-term development strategy, the Museum of Fine Arts Liberec will present one of the most significant contemporary artists from Central Europe, the Austrian sculptor and conceptual artist Erwin Wurm. His works have been exhibited at institutions such as the Albertina, Lenbachhaus, Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac and KÖNIG GALERIE. His artworks are included in the collections of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Walker Art Center, Museum Ludwig, Kunstmuseum St.Gallen, Musée d'art contemporain de Lyon, Museum Brandhorst, Centre Pompidou and many others. This exhibition will mark his very first solo presentation in the Czech Republic. With this project, the Liberec museum continues its programme of introducing major contemporary artists to Czech audiences, following exhibitions by Neo Rauch, Rosa Loy, Zsófia Keresztes and Koji Kakinuma.

Erwin Wurm is renowned for his inexhaustible sense of humour and finely honed sarcasm, reflected throughout his work, whether in the unnaturally swollen cars of the Fat Cars series, the claustrophobic Narrow House, or the ghost-like figures of the Substitutes. In his works, he delivers a highly sophisticated critique of the false ideals of contemporary society—its utilitarianism, formalism, and fondness for kitsch—while prompting viewers to reflect on the stereotypical conventions we so often accept without question.

The artist conveys his ideas with a playful, almost fairy-tale-like tone that often brings us back to the world of childhood imagination and fantasy. In this way, his work stands apart from that of other contemporary artists. At the Museum of Fine Arts Liberec, Wurm’s work will be presented through a selection of pieces, including the iconic Substitutes, Skins, Bags, and others, offering an overview of the most significant stages of the artist’s career, with a particular focus on the past decade.

The exhibition is held under the auspices of Martin Půta, Governor of the Liberec Region.

Partners of the exhibition: Austrian Cultural Forum Prague, Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, PPF ART, Premedis Foundation, Teplárna Liberec, a.s., WARMNIS spol. s.r.o.

The exhibition opening will take place on Friday, 16 October at 6:00 PM.