"Hair Clouds" by Josef Strau features a minimalist palette with pastel hues and earth tones, interspersed with textural elements suggestive of organic forms like clouds and strands of hair. The composition integrates abstract lines and light scribbles, invoking a sense of unfinished poetry. Strau’s style is marked by an abstract representation blending drawing and collage, evocative of stream-of-consciousness writing. This piece reflects his exploration of the ephemeral and intangible, engaging viewers in a dialogue on the intersection of language and visual art within the continuum of time and memory. ...
Josef Strau's multifaceted practice intertwines writing and visual art, exploring themes of representation, subjectivity, and the passage of time. His work often employs stream-of-consciousness writing and symbolic imagery, drawing from diverse cultural references, including Byzantine iconography and Latin American culture. Strau's installations frequently juxtapose architectural elements with poetic texts, creating immersive environments that invite viewers to engage with the interplay between space, language, and meaning. This approach reflects his interest in the tension between the written word and the materiality of the art object. Throughout his career, Strau has maintained a critical perspective on the art world, often questioning the conventions of exhibition-making and the role of the artist. His practice is characterized by a continuous dialogue between writing and art-making, positioning both as integral components of his artistic exploration. ...
Galerie Francesca Pia was founded 1990 in Bern and from their first exhibitions forward has consistently fostered contemporary artists including Betty Woodman (1990), Peter Fischli & David Weiss (1992), Hans-Peter Feldmann (1993), Thomas Bayrle (1998), Mai-Thu Perret (2000), Wade Guyton (2004), Jutta Koether (2008) and Rochelle Feinstein (2016) et al. Today the gallery is known for the discovery and promotion of emerging artists. After 16 years in Bern, the gallery moved to a larger space in Zurich in 2007. In 2012 the gallery extended and relocated to a more generous space in the historic Löwenbrau building, where it continues to engage in an ambitious program, representing over thirty artists of different generations. ...
