With a unique combination of sculpture, film and painting, Monster Chetwynd creates immersive worlds where art history, pop culture, and humor intertwine. As the first performance artist nominated for the Turner Prize in 2012, Monster Chetwynd embraces improvisation, allowing space for spontaneous, authentic moments.
For the first time, the exhibition shows all three episodes of the âHermitos Childrenâ film series together. These combine experimental film-making and surreal humour with profound reflections on themes such as collaboration and humanity, and also present her performances in a new and innovative way. âMy aim with âHermitos Childrenâ was to solve the dilemma of documenting the uniqueness of performances without losing their vitalityâ, Chetwynd explains.
« I feel drawn to surrealism, nonsense, and irreverence, as though they would reflect my reality. » â Monster Chetwynd
Monster Chetwynd shapes the art scene not only through radical and creative works but also with her unique personality. In 2018, she chose the artist name 'Monster' as a playful challenge to conventions and identity. âI think the name works well because it is genderless, engulfing, inclusive, and undefinedâ, says Chetwynd. Since moving to Zurich in 2020, she has not only enriched the local art scene but also brought new impulses to her own artistic practice. This connection to her chosen home makes the exhibition at the Kunsthaus ZĂŒrich a particularly significant undertaking.
Curated by Raphael Gygax, Curator at Large, and supported by Swiss Re â Partner for Contemporary Art.
'Zardoz': Coming late summer to the garden of art
Parallel to the exhibition, Monster Chetwynd is creating the first commissioned work titled 'Zardoz' for the garden of art as part of the 'Art for All' series: a playful garden structure in the style of a âfollyâ, complete with a hidden climbing frame. The opening is planned for late summer, with further details to be announced at the official unveiling in late August.
This project is supported by the Hans Imholz Foundation, a further foundation which prefers to remain anonymous, as well as private patrons from the Gateway Fund, which promotes contemporary art installations in the public space.
Supported by the Hans Imholz Foundation, Tarbaca Indigo Foundation, Dr. Georg und Josi Guggenheim Stiftung, two additional foundations wishing to remain unnamed, as well as private donors to the Gateway Fund, a fund dedicated to supporting public art installations at Kunsthaus ZĂŒrich.
