Willy Verginer was born on February 23, 1957, in Bressanone, South Tyrol, Italy. He was raised in the Val Gardena region, surrounded by the majestic summits, forests, and the Dolomite Mountains. This stunning landscape would become a profound influence on his life and his art. He attended the Art Institute of Ortisei, where he initially studied painting.
However, he also frequented the studios of sculptors to learn the region’s woodworking traditions. The Val Gardena area has been famous for its woodcarving since the eighteenth century, and he absorbed these ancestral techniques, which became the foundation for his future work.
Verginer is a master of hyperrealistic wood sculpture. His sculptures are often life-sized and carved from large blocks of linden wood that are dried naturally for six years to prevent warping. He starts the carving process with a chainsaw and hatchet before refining the details with chisels. Despite his incredible precision, his figures are often expressionless, adding a layer of mystery. His hallmark style involves painting portions of his wooden figures with bold, vibrant colors, creating a striking contrast between the hyperreal and the surreal.
His work is deeply rooted in contemporary themes, particularly environmentalism and the relationship between humanity and nature. He uses his sculptures to address serious issues like pollution, deforestation, and the absurdity of ecological destruction. By depicting children with branches growing from their feet or deer drinking from oil barrels, he critiques human impact on the planet. As he stated, “The environment is a very strong issue, for the next generation and for all future generations”. His art seeks to make us question our daily actions and their consequences.
“The landscape I live in is incredibly beautiful, and it shapes both my material and my themes. Wood, my raw material, ties me to a long tradition of carving, yet it also serves as a metaphor for resilience and vulnerability.”
His career has gained international recognition, with exhibitions in major museums and galleries across Europe, the United States, and Canada. A significant milestone was representing the Trentino-Alto Adige region at the 54th Venice Biennale in 2011. He has also developed a strong connection with Asia, showing his work at Art Taipei. In 2022, he held his first solo exhibition in Taiwan, titled The Lost Garden. His art continues to be shown worldwide, captivating audiences with its blend of beauty and critical commentary.
His series, such as Rayuela, are inspired by the children’s game hopscotch and a novel that can be read in multiple sequences. For Verginer, this represents the metaphorical jumps and obstacles of life. He sees the world and its systems as so absurd that he feels compelled to create absurd situations in his art. Ultimately, Willy Verginer is an artist who challenges us to see the world differently. His work is a powerful reminder of the delicate balance between humanity and the natural world.
Q: What is unique about Willy Verginer’s technique?
A: His technique is defined by hyperrealistic wood carving combined with bold, painted color fields that bisect his figures, creating a powerful tension between realism and surrealism.
Q: Where does Willy Verginer live and work?
A: He lives and works in Ortisei, Italy, in the heart of the Val Gardena region, which has deeply influenced his artistic vision.