Collection: Erika Sidler

Several works by Glarus artist Erika Sidler have been in the collection of the Glarner Kunstverein since the 1990s. In combination with a selection of works from local lenders as well as works from the artist’s studio, this exhibition offers an overview of Sidler’s artistic production from 1977 to 2025.

Erika Sidler has worked with a variety of media since the 1970s, including painting, drawing, etching, and sculpture. The exhibition Sammlung: Erika Sidler focuses primarily on painting and etching, given their prominent role in Sidler’s artistic practice.

During her studies at the Schule für Gestaltung in Luzern (1976–79), Sidler worked primarily with modeling and casting techniques under the guidance of Anton Egloff. In the period that followed, she developed her painting repertoire through self-study and also explored printmaking techniques. A degree in fine art at the Edinburgh College of Art (1987–88) further influenced her artistic development. Since then, Sidler has worked as a visual artist in Glarus.

In her works, Sidler often explores visual memories, which are presented in surreal compositions of figures and landscapes. Her scenes depict experiences and subjects inspired by travels and visits to exhibitions, opening up a dialogue with the world around her. Art gives her a sense of freedom that comes from immersing oneself in creating art. Themes of disappearance and reverie consistently appear in a number of the works in the exhibition: handbags are left unattended on tables with no women in sight, abandoned ballet flats or pumps are scattered around the floor, a huge cloud nearly fills up the entire space of the picture, figures vanish behind sheer fabrics and fans, or cities float luminously in empty space.

Erika Sidler (b. 1954 in Glarus, lives and works in Glarus) worked, alongside her artistic activities, at the Glarus Primary School from 2001 to 2021. In 1996, she realized an art-in-architecture project at the cantonal hospital in Glarus.

Curated by Melanie Ohnemus