Peter Demetz, 1969 | Hyperrealistic wood sculptor

Peter Demetz is best known for his incredibly realistic hand-carved sculptures of people, caught in contemplative, in-between moments.

His installations push beyond the framework of daily life, capturing the simple gestures and unique poses of his subject.

Peter Demetz was born in Bolzano-Italy and lives and works in Ortisei (BZ).

After completing his studies at the Ortisei Art Institute, Demetz began an apprenticeship under Maestro Heinrich Demetz and earned his Master's Degree in sculpture.

Considered one of the most interesting contemporary wooden sculptors, Demetz has been actively supported by organizations including the Swarovski Design Center, Wattens, the LKJ-Sachsen Leipzig, and Daetz-Centrum in Lichtenstein.

His scenes are like snippets of everyday life; suspended in a timeless universe and demarcated from reality through the silence and simplicity of the surrounding space.

The artist sculpts his subjects with stunning meticulousness, reproducing tiny folds in clothing, facial wrinkles, and individual strands of hair. Conversely, the figures’ minimalist surroundings are left open to interpretation.

Using a few lines, block colors and, above all, theatrical lighting, the artist creates fictitious spaces.

It is we who imbue them with meaning, who see them according to our own experiences in the real world.

There is never eye contact between the subject and the observer, giving the impression that these figures are existing in their own world: they are aware of being observed, yet leave an empty space between themselves and the observer.

Demetz communicates a strong sense of soul-searching in his works, which capture subjects in intimate yet mundane moments during which the true nature of existence is often contemplated.

Peter Demetz nasce a Bolzano nel 1969.

Dal 1983-1984 frequenta l’Istituto d’Arte di Ortisei, e dopo un periodo di apprendistato presso l’Atelier del Maestro Heinrich Demetz ottiene il Diploma di Maestro Scultore.

Dal 1995 al 2002 insegna alla Scuola Professionale di Ortisei e alla Scuola Professionale per Scultori di Selva.

Demetz è un artista che ha saputo dare viva voce alla Val Gardena: è infatti presidente dell’Associazione “Artigianato Artistico Gardenese” e presidente del Gruppo UNIKA dal 1997-2000.

Dal 2002-2006 è Docente Responsabile al Corso di Studi d’Arte della Scultura Lignea dell’Università di Zwickau in Germania, alla Facoltà d’Arte Applicata di Schneeberg, presso il Daetz-Centrum a Lichtenstein.

Tra i riconoscimenti più importanti:

2007_ 1° Premio al concorso per il 60° anniversario della Fiera di Bolzano, opera: “Padiglione 1″; 2010_ Vincitore al concorso artistico “III Triennale Ladina” al museo ladino di San Martino in Badia; 2014_1° Premio “Premio Pio Alferano” al concorso “Murat è vivo” a Castellabate (SA), opera: “nelle strade di Pizzo”.