Christian Verginer was born in 1982 in Bressanone, Italy. He is considered one of the most valid and original expressionists in contemporary sculpture carvings. His training began by attending the sculpture department of the art school of Ortisei, and then continued at the Academy of Fine Arts in Carrara.

The subject chosen by the sculptor is the human figure, or rather, the human figure in its relations with other forms of life, with animals, nature, trees, or with various objects of the world. The material used is linden wood, which is left smooth and covered in details by unexpectedly applied acrylic paint. The titles of the works are funny and ironic. With respect to the long and high tradition of the Dolomites, Verginer remains loyal to the skill and precision of wood carving, while introducing modern, and personal subject matter.

Young children feature prominently in his sculptures. He marvelously conveys the innocence of children, their imagination, and questions between self and nature. He subtly combines children’s gazes, expressions, and movements into artworks that not only evoke people’s nostalgia for their own childhood but also awaken their long-forgotten innocence and desire to live in harmony with nature.

That Verginer ended up being a wood carver and sculptor may not be so surprising as he explains it:
” The valley where I live and work, Val Gardena, has a long tradition of wood carving. It is a tradition that dates to about 500 years ago when religious sculptures were carved for churches all over the world, but also a production of wooden toys… Therefore, in our valley, there are specific schools of woodworking. My journey naturally began with compulsory schooling, after which I attended an art high school until I was 18. After the state exam, I chose to go to Carrara in Tuscany to attend the academy of fine arts for a year. I am lucky to also have a father who is a sculptor and therefore after a year in Carrara, I returned home learning a lot in my father’s studio. I have now been working for 22 years together with my father Willy and my brother Matthias.”

About his work Verginer tells the following:
“The main theme that I have had for many years and that I like to communicate through my sculptures is “the relationship between man and nature”. How distant are people from nature? How alienated? These questions have continued to knock on the door of my conscience, and they emerge in my work with persistence. I hope and imagine a better future, a more sensitive and better kinship between humans and nature on our planet. I imagine a world of peaceful coexistence. My art is my voice.”


EDUCATION

1995-2000 Studying at the School of Arts, Ortisei
2001-2002 Academy of Fine Arts of Carrara

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2023
At the Edge of Realism, KIRK Gallery, Aalborg, Denmark
Art Herning, KIRK Gallery, Denmark

2022
Art Herning, KIRK Gallery, Aalborg, Denmark

2020
Zeitgeist, Denmark, KIRK Gallery
Inside out, Denmark , KIRK Gallery
Art Herning, Denmark, KIRK Gallery
Baf Bergamo Art Fair, Bergamo
Art Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, DE
Art Knokke-heist, Knokke, BE

2019
Art Herning, DK, KIRK Gallery
Art of giving – Galerie van Campen & Rochtus, Antwerpen
Antica Namur, Namur (BE)Context Art Miami, Miami (USA)Arte Padova
Deberied – Galerie Max 21, Iphofen (D)
North Art Fair, Aalborg (DK)
Wopart Lugano, Lugano „Unika Art Fair vintecinch“, Ortisei
Skulpturen und Reliefs Soloshow – Galleria Berno Sacchetti, Ascona
Art Bodensee, Dornbirn
Uguale E Diverso Exhibition – Galerie Van Campen & Rochtus, Antwerp
A Time for giving – Galerie Van Campen & Rochtus, Antwerp

2018
North Art Fair, Aalborg, DK, KIRK Gallery
Arte Padova, Padova (I)
Missing Nature – Liquid Art System, Anacapri (I)
CI – Contempory Istanbul, Istanbul (TR)
Biennale Veghel, Veghel (NL)
In Art we trust – Vecchiato Arte, Pietrasanta (I)
Good Vibes – Vecchiato Arte, Pietrasanta (I)
Blowing – Vecchiato Arte, Padova (I)
Lucca Art Fair, Lucca (I)
Eurantica Bruxells Fine Art Fair, Brussels (B)
On the move – KIRK Gallery, Aalborg (DK)
Art Breda, Berda (NL)
Art Herning, Herning (DK)
BAF Bergamo Art Fair, Bergamo
Winter Salon – Wasserman Projects, Detroit (USA)

2017
Scope Art Show / Miami / KIRK Gallery
Kunstral / Amsterdam, Holland
Artbred / Berda, Holland
The Italian Connection / Gallery Van Campen & Rochtus, Antwerp, Belgien
Carte Blanche / collaboration between Galerie Van Campen & Rochtus and Galerie L’Oeil du Prince, Paris, Frankrig
Eurantica / Bruxells Fine Art Fair, Brussels, Belgien
After Industry / Wasserman Projects, Detroit, USA

2016
La Stanza Delle Meraviglie / Arionte Arte Contemporanea, Catania, Italy
Setup Contemporary Art Fair Bologna / Bologna, Italy
Realisme Amsterdam / Amsterdam, Netherlands

2015
Exhibition with Sam Drukker / Gallery Van Campen & Rochtus, Antwerp, Belgium
Eurantica / Bruxells Fine Art Fair, Brussels, Belgium
Arte Padova / Padova, Italy
C.A.R. Contemporary Art Ruhr die Innovative Kunstmesse / Essen, Germany
Idea Unika /climate change project, Ortisei, Italy
Art Breda / Breda, Netherlands
Affordable Art Fair / Milano, Italy
Realisme Amsterdam / Amsterdam, Netherlands
Antiques & Art Fair Luxenbourg, Luxembourg

2014
Art Padova / Padova, Italy
Domeevent / art at home, Antwerp, Belgium
Art of giving / Galerie van Campen & Rochtus, Antwerpen, Belgium
Unika / Ortisei, Italien
Jumblins Sculteures / sculptor twins Christian and Matthias Verginer, Galerie Max 21, Iphofen, Germany
Eurantica/ Bruxells Fine Art Fair, Brussels, Belgium
Antiques & Art Fair Luxenbourg / Luxembourg

2013
Quelli Che Parlano Agli Alberi / Leogalleries, Monza, Italy
Art Gent International Art Fair, Belgium
Three by Tree / Galerie Van Campen & Rochtus, Antwrepen, Belgium
Unika / Ortisei, Italy
Different Twins / Civic Museum Chiusa, Italy

2012
Transart 12 / Bolzano, Italy
Galerie Max 21/ Iphofen, Germany
Verratselung des alltags / Galerie Anne Malchers, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
Unika / Ortisei, Italy
Gallery White Room, Positano, Italy

2011
Unika / Tubla da Nives, Selva/Gardena, Italy
Unika / Ortisei, Italy

2009
Unika / Ortisei, Italy
Trei Sculteures / Wangen im Allgäu, Germany

2008
Unika / Ortisei, Italy
3 X Verginer /Gallery Max 21, Iphofen, Germany
Tradefair / Milano, Italy