Klaus Prior
Paintings & Sculptures
As paradoxical as it sounds, Prior "paints" three-dimensional images with the chainsaw into the real space and "mills" two-dimensional sculptures onto the flat screen with the brush. His unique interlacing of sculpture and painting culminates in his current work in monumental large formats and subtle interior formats, as well as in panel paintings, which expand colorfully into the real space.
Dr. Matthias Frehner, Kunstmuseum Bern
Whether in the exhibition space, in the studio or in the public space - wherever the viewer meets Klaus Priors' painterly and sculptural works, he sees himself exposed to a vortex directly on him. This artist does not leave us cold. On the contrary, it seems as if these works were designed to trigger lively reactions in us. The observed spectrum ranges from abrupt, untrue rejection of such "grossly mutilating, gloomy imputations" to the respect of these figures, which are experienced as existential utterances.
Christoph Bauer, Kunstmuseum Singen
Whether the artist works on a sculpture, whether he paints, whether he draws: the traces of the work each speak of a great vehemence. No sketches precede sculpture, on the contrary: the sketches themselves, like painting, have a plastic character. When Prior is working on the wood, he draws or paints directly with the chainsaw.
Konrad Tobler, Kunsthistoriker
