The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.
⸺ Rumi ⸺
|
Statement
My work is rooted in a contemplative practice — a sustained dialogue between breath, gesture, and material. Working with Sumi ink and mineral pigments on Japanese Washi paper and wood panels, I explore the space between intention and letting go, between precision and impermanence.
Repetition and silence. Philosophy and material. Work that explores space, time, and the relationship between the singular and the whole.
Since 2011, I have worked as a full-time artist, developing my practice independently — a deliberate choice to pursue artistic freedom outside the institutional art world. This period of sustained focus has resulted in a coherent, mature body of work that I am now ready to bring into a wider context.
|
Vita
1969
Born in Bern, Switzerland
1990
Graduated from commercial high school, Biel-Bienne
1990 ⸺ 1991
Preparatory course, School of Arts and Crafts, Bern
1991 ⸺ 1994
BFA with Honors in Communication Design, Art Center College of Design
1995
Relocated to Salzburg, Austria
1995 ⸺ 1997
Creative Director, international advertising agency, Salzburg
1997 ⸺ 2010
Freelance designer and artist; exhibitions, collections, awards
2001 ⸺ 2005
Lecturer, Advertising Design Academy, Salzburg
2002 ⸺ 2003
Studies in Chinese calligraphy under Zhao Linhong
2003 ⸺ 2010
Member, Visual Artists Salzburg Association; board member 2007–2010
2011
Withdrew from professional associations and freelance work; began full-time studio practice under the name Thoth Adan
2022
Member, Salzburg Art Association
2023
Studio at Künstlerhaus Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 3
|
Awards
2009
Emerging Artist Award, State of Salzburg
|
Selected Exhibitions
2009
6 Positionen aus ∞, Art BV Villa Berchtold, Salzburg (group)
2008
Exhibition of Nominees, St. Leopold Peace Prize, Stift Klosterneuburg (group)
2008
Salzburg Art Mix, National Library, Tallinn, Estonia (group)
2007
Quintessenz, Schlossgalerie, Steyr (group)
2007
Spiritual Views, Art BV Villa Berchtold, Salzburg (group, curated)
2005
Fest/Spiel/Zeit, Art BV Villa Berchtold, Salzburg (group, curated)
2005
Salzburgs Favoriten, Wien-Favoriten (group)
2003
Arcana, Gallery Lährm, Salzburg (solo)
1988 ⸺ 1995
Various exhibitions in Switzerland, on papercuts (Scherenschnitt), incl. 3. Schweizerische Scherenschnitt-Ausstellung, Winterthur and Bulle
|
Collections
1993
Work acquired by the Museum of Applied Arts, Kornhauskeller, Bern
2003
Three large-scale works, Collection Lährm, Salzburg
2004
Six large-scale works, Dr. Rainer Heubach Collection, Großgmain
2022
Sixteen works, Sebastian Kulczyk Collection, London
|
For a more personal account of my practice and background: