Charly Iten

Born 1972 in Zug, Switzerland.
'Free of thoughts, the mind like a pure, clear mirror.' This brief yet poignant phrase perfectly describes my view of the arts - being able to artistically manifest the authentic and true inner essence of things within the chosen media, entirely unhindered by distracting thoughts. My academic work with East Asian art, in particular with Japanese art, has profoundly influenced my relationship towards the arts. With the passing of time, I have selected those inspirations from Japanese culture that harmonised with and reflected my view of the arts. This is how an artistic palette was created that not only contains spiritual and philosophical elements, but equally includes distinct aesthetic and compositional components. The tangible result are expressive, multi-layered works, in which I combine, symbiotically and in a highly distinctive way, elements that I have adopted from Japanese art with the technical means of expression of modern Western art.

In my youth I developed a deep interest in Japan, which inspired me to study history of East Asian art and Japanese studies. My continued interest in Asian art led not only to a PhD in Japanese art, but has, since my early years, remained an integral part of my life.

2015: Speaking of Now. Gallery Claudia Geiser Zurich
2013: Art Affairs 2013 Zug
2013: Group exhibition. Gallery am Leewasser Brunnen
2013: Scope Basel. Smart Ship Gallery Tokyo
2012: Traces. Gallery Claudia Geiser Zurich
2012: Charity auction for children in Fukushima. Gallery Kunst im West Zurich
2011: Asian Art in Zug 2011
2011: Art International Zurich
2011: Tracing Japanese Aesthetics. Gallery Kulturschiene Herrliberg-Feldmeilen
2011: Artists for Japan. Charity exhibition at Sotheby's Zurich
2010: Revealing metals - creative fire. Gallery Wittenwiler Steinhausen
2010: Art Show Zurich
2009: modern art in Zuger Altstadt
2009: Asian Art in Zug 2009
2009: Group exhibition. Focus Business Center Zug
2009: Group exhibition. Regus Business Center Stockerhof Zurich
2009: modern art in Zuger Altstadt
2007: Patterns of metalware series 2. Parkhotel Zug
2007: Patterns of metal- & earthenware. Gallery Jewels of Asia Zurich
2006: Works 03-05. Parkhotel Weggis
2004: A range of impressions. Annual competition of the Cultural Department of the Canton of Zug, Switzerland