Knapp Sonja

Sonja Knapp grew up in Zurich and graduated from the School of Arts and Crafts in Zurich under Johannes Itten before moving to Paris, where she began her career as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer and found her new focus in life. In 1965, she founded the "Emanuel Ungaro" haute couture maison in Paris along with Emanuel Ungaro. She creates colourful imprimé fabrics and body sculptures, making the fashion house famous worldwide. After 25 years, Sonja Knapp retired from fashion and now devotes herself exclusively to fine art. She created her first bronze sculptures parallel to her painting. In search of a different material in keeping with the current zeitgeist, she subsequently created works in aluminium and highly polished stainless steel. Sonja Knapp is represented at this year's Bad Ragartz with the sculpture group "Riflessi". The sculptures, made of polished stainless steel, initially function as a fascinating mirror of the surroundings. However, if you allow yourself to be seduced into entering the sculpture group, further unexpected dimensions open up. The static appearance of the works immediately dissintegrates into a grandiose and dance-like interplay of light and colour reflection. The dynamic yet time self-contained world that opens up to the viewer here invites them to linger and let their gaze wander towards the sky. The poetic space that Sonja Knapp has created in a fast-paced and constantly moving world allows us to escape from everyday life for a moment and transports us to a place of free mental and sensual reflection.

Quote

«Real art is created in the minds of the viewers.Form and perfection should arouse emotions and encourage people to look beyond the horizon. I try to achieve a poetic dialogue of ideas with my works.»