| ABOUT

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Vita

1969
Born in Bern, Switzerland

1990
Graduated from commercial high school in Biel-Bienne

1990-1991
Completed a preparatory course at the School of Arts and Crafts in Bern

1991-1994
Earned a BFA with Honors in Communication Design from Art Center College of Design

1995
Relocated to Salzburg, Austria

1995-1997
Served as Creative Director at an advertising agency

1997-2010
Worked as a freelance designer and artist; participated in international exhibitions

2001-2005
Lecturer at the Advertising Design Academy in Salzburg

2002-2003
Studied Chinese calligraphy under Zhao Linhong

2003-2010
Member of the Visual Artists Salzburg Association, served as a board member from 2007-2010

2011
Following a hiatus and creative reorientation in 2010, began working as a full-time artist under the pseudonym Thoth Adan

Since 2022
Member of the Salzburg Art Association

Since 2023
Studio at the Künstlerhaus Salzburg

Prizes

2009
Emerging Artist Award from the State of Salzburg

Collections

1993
Work acquired by the Museum of Applied Arts, Kornhauskeller, Bern

2004
Six large-scale works added to the Dr. Rainer Heubach Collection

2022
Sixteen works added to the Sebastian Kulczyk Collection.

Artist Statement

Thoth is an Austria-based artist whose work is deeply rooted in minimalism and abstract expressionism, with a significant influence from Asian philosophies such as Zen Buddhism and Taoism. Born and raised in Switzerland, Thoth’s artistic journey embodies a synthesis of Western and Eastern aesthetics, merging precision with introspection.

In a recent interview, Thoth was asked whether his art practice is intertwined with a spiritual practice. He responded:

“Yes, all my work is linked to a form of spiritual practice. However, I prefer to describe it as a philosophical, contemplative, or mindful approach, independent of religious contexts.

Some pieces, like those from the ‘Breath Meditation’ series, are direct documentation of this practice. Others are the outcome of previous mindfulness and contemplation. To some extent, the way I work can be seen as a form of meditation itself.

I strongly resonate with the quote by Thomas Merton: ‘We are the sum total of our experiences.’ Creating art is a deeply personal experience for me — an act of self-discovery and a quest for meaning, ethics, values, and beauty. This process shapes both my identity and my art. Incidentally, the same applies to the viewer: looking at art is also an experience!”

This statement encapsulates the essence of Thoth’s artistic philosophy. For further insights into the choice of materials fundamental to his work and the personal journey that led him to them, explore the following, personal blog posts: