Reto Steiner (b. 1978) is a Swiss artist specializing in stone sculpture. He completed an apprenticeship in stone sculpture and holds a Master’s degree in Contemporary Arts Practice from Bern University of the Arts. Steiner has received numerous accolades, including the Jury Award of the Skulptur-Biennale in Winterthur and the Aeschlimann Corti Scholarship. His artistic journey has also been enriched by residencies in Togo, Latvia, Egypt, Norway, Zimbabwe, China, Italy, Germany, and Finland. His sculptures have been exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions across Europe.
Steiner rethinks traditional stone sculpture through innovative techniques. By both melting and carving stone, he reflects on the processes of stoneworking in contrasting ways. His melted forms appear carved, while his carved reliefs evoke flowing, organic shapes. This interplay between control and fluidity challenges the conventional contradiction between shaping and wildness. As a sculptor, Steiner “tames” the stone, maintaining its inherent flexibility while shaping it into expressive forms.
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